Financial crisis in schools threatening national exams, principals warn

Candidates prepare for the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment examination. [File, Standard] 

School heads are raising concerns over an impending financial crisis that could disrupt national examinations.

Over 2.2 million students are set to sit for exams, with 965,501 registered for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) and 1,303,913 set to take the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KIPSEA).

However, many schools face financial uncertainty in preparing students for these crucial milestones.

Principals warn that without immediate government intervention, they may be unable to provide resources for exam administration.

Willie Kuria, chairman of the Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (Kessha), says schools have reached a breaking point.

“Exams are around the corner, and there are no funds to purchase the required supplies,” said Kuria, the principal of Murang’a High School.

“Without urgent financial support, the education of millions of children hangs in the balance,” he added.

Aquinas High School Principal Stephen Gathii said: “Schools are facing a big challenge, considering students owe schools millions in unpaid fees.”

This situation is not new. School heads have seen a steady decline in capitation funds over the last three years, leaving them struggling to maintain operations.

Kuria noted that schools have been receiving less than half of the government funding, making it difficult to run institutions.

“You can’t flip a switch and completely change the way a school is run. It takes time and planning. Many heads will find themselves in court because of debts,” Kuria said.

Of the Sh22,244 allocated per learner annually under the government’s Free Day Secondary Education programme, The Standard has learned that the State has disbursed only Sh15,192.

Out of this, schools are required to deposit Sh3,850 for infrastructure development, leaving just Sh11,342 for tuition and operations.

Machakos School Principal Benson Manoo warned that without an emergency rescue package, school closures are inevitable.

“School fees have remained the same for over a decade and schools have no other source of income,” Manoo said.

Some principals are reporting arrears ranging between Sh27 million and Sh50 million in unpaid fees.

One head teacher, speaking anonymously, revealed that a supplier had threatened legal action due to overdue payments.

“We received a letter from a supplier through his lawyer, threatening to take us to court for defaulting on payment,” the principal said.

Addressing questions in Parliament on the funding gaps, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba acknowledged the issue.

He cited data showing that primary and secondary schools have consistently received less than budgeted.

This year, for instance, primary schools were allocated Sh9.1 billion instead of the required Sh9.27 billion, while secondary schools received Sh59.8 billion, falling far short of the Sh76.6 billion needed.

Ogamba said steps were being taken to ensure the financial sustainability of schools.

“The government is acting to establish certainty and sustainability for the education sector,” he said.

Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) Secretary-General Akelo Misori pointed out the toll the funding shortfall had taken on the sector.

“We’ve been blaming principals for charging illegal levies, but we are driving them in that direction,” he said.

Education expert Ouko Muthonisaid the ongoing crisis is exacerbating inequality in access to education.

“When state funding drops, we see a separation between the haves and the have-nots,” she said.