School heads warn of early closure, exam disruption over Sh18bn capitation delay
Kessha national chairman Willy Kuria cautioned that many schools were already unable to function effectively.
Secondary school heads have sounded the alarm over delayed release of capitation funds, warning that schools may shut down early in the third term and national examinations risk disruption if the government fails to disburse billions owed.
The Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (Kessha) said the government is yet to remit about Sh18 billion meant for the first and second terms, an amount translating to Sh5,506 per learner.
The association explained that under the current funding structure, schools are supposed to receive Sh22,000 per student annually, spread across the three terms.
Kessha national chairman Willy Kuria said the government had fallen short in both disbursements already made this year. For the first term, schools were entitled to Sh11,122 per student but only received Sh8,818, leaving a balance of Sh2,304.
In the second term, schools were expecting 30 per cent of the allocation, equivalent to Sh6,673, but only Sh3,471 was released, creating a shortfall of Sh3,202.
“Combined, the government owes us about Sh18 billion for the first and second terms. In the third term, we are supposed to receive 20 per cent of the Sh22,000 capitation. We hope the capitation will be wired to accounts when schools reopen on Monday,” Kuria said.
The third term, which lasts only nine weeks, is the shortest in the school calendar but the most critical, as it hosts three major national examinations. The Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) will run from October 24 to 29, while the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) will take place from November 3 to 21.
Kuria, who also serves as the Chief Principal of Murang’a High School, cautioned that many schools were already unable to function effectively.
He said several institutions had been forced to close early in the second term after exhausting their resources.
“Many schools could not sustain operations without the funds. We had to send learners home weeks before the schedule because we could not feed them or pay suppliers. Day schools rely entirely on capitation and are the hardest hit. With no boarding fees to cushion them, many are gasping for survival,” Kuria said.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba admitted that the funds had not been released but assured that the ministry was working to address the situation.
“Capitation funds for term three have not yet been released. We are working on it,” Ogamba said.
In June, Ogamba told Parliament that schools were already sinking under debt, with the ministry acknowledging arrears of up to Sh64 billion.
“It is not something I can say I will sort out immediately. My main challenge is to ensure we receive funds in full so we can deal with the Sh64 billion in pending bills. Schools are still not receiving what is due to them. Only 50 per cent of the allocated funds have been disbursed this financial year,” he said.
Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) Deputy Secretary General Moses Nthurima also raised concerns, saying schools had been set up for a financial breakdown.
“This is going to be terrible for schools, especially considering this is the shortest term. When schools close early, it is always because of deficits, and now with exams coming up, a lot of logistics will be required. Schools will end up suffering,” he said.
He added that unless the government urgently intervenes, exam preparations will be severely undermined.
“The Ministry of Education might ask schools to close early, pretending to be protecting candidates. But in the process, the curriculum will really suffer. Pending balances from the first and second terms have not been addressed. The government has only been sprinkling some money here and there,” Nthurima said.
