Treasury releases Sh36b capitation funding to schools for second term

Education CS Ezekiel Machogu. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

The government has disbursed Sh36 billion in capitation funds for the second term of this academic year, as schools prepare for a three-day mid-term break.

These funds will support free day secondary, free primary and free day junior secondary school programmes.

The bulk of the funds, Sh19 billion, will go to secondary schools under the free day secondary education programme.

Junior secondary schools will receive Sh14 billion while primary schools will get Sh2.74 billion.

Kenya Secondary School Heads Association chairman Willy Kuria acknowledged the disbursement, but noted the absence of government guidance on funds usage.

"Funds have begun trickling into our school accounts, but suppliers are already camping in our institutions waiting for money. We will spend the cash on debts," said Kuria.

Schools with accounts in National and Equity banks have already received the funds, with other banks expected to reflect the deposits by Friday.

Education CS Ezekiel Machogu, while launching the fourth National Education Sector Strategic Plan 2023-27, said schools received 50 per cent of the total capitation during the first term.

"We are at an advanced stage of ensuring that second term capitation will be released in the course of this month. No school will close because 50 per cent capitation was given to both primary and secondary schools," he said.

For second term, schools will get 30 per cent of capitation, with the balance of 20 per cent to be disbursed in third term.