Government to disburse Sh21 billion as public schools grapple with delays

The government will begin releasing Sh21 billion in capitation funds to public schools starting Monday, bringing an end to weeks of uncertainty and growing concern from school administrators and parents.

The announcement was made by Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba during the Inaugural Education Conference 2026 held at Lake Naivasha Resort.

The disbursement follows rising pressure from education stakeholders after schools reopened for the second term without receiving the much-needed funds.

"While the delay was unfortunate, we have been in constant consultation with the Treasury and are now committed to ensuring the funds are disbursed promptly. This support is critical in sustaining operations in public schools," Ogamba said.

Many heads of institutions have warned that the funding gap is threatening the stability of the school calendar, with some already reporting disruptions.

The Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association has been at the forefront, cautioning that continued delays could hurt learning and school operations.

As the government moves to release the money, Ogamba took a tough stance on reports that some school administrators were passing the burden onto parents.

"We are aware of some principals collecting illegal levies from unsuspecting parents. This must stop. Any head teacher found culpable will face disciplinary action," he said.

Besides addressing funding issues, the CS spoke about the transition process for students moving from Grade Nine to Grade Ten.

He said talks were ongoing to prepare for the next phase of the Competency-Based Curriculum and ensure that the process is well coordinated.

The Education CS also called on County Directors of Education to step up supervision and ensure that public funds are used responsibly.

He said that accountability must be maintained at the grassroots level to protect public money and support quality learning.

At the same time, the Ministry raised an alarm over increasing student unrest during the second term.

"We have observed a consistent rise in student unrest during this period. School heads and education officers must act to curb this worrying trend," Ogamba said.

Education Principal Secretary Professor Julius Bitok, who also attended the conference, highlighted weaknesses in the current capitation system.

He said the government plans to use the National Education Management Information System to streamline funding and improve planning across schools.

Bitok noted that the Ministry is working on reforms that will help avoid future delays and ensure smoother school operations.

He said improved systems would make it easier to track learners and allocate resources accurately.