The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has ignited a nationwide debate by calling for the complete elimination of bursary funds, scholarships, and other financial aid programs to pave the way for a fully free public education system across all levels. The union’s bold proposal comes alongside an urgent demand for the immediate release of full capitation funds for the 2025 academic year, as schools face a looming financial crisis that threatens to disrupt learning.
Speaking at a press briefing in Nairobi on Sunday, August 3, KUPPET Secretary-General Akelo Misori emphasized the unsustainability of the current education funding model.
“This patchwork of financial aid is unsustainable,” Misori stated, highlighting the inefficiencies of bursary programs often influenced by political motives. “We propose a national conversation aimed at abolishing all bursary and scholarship programs in favor of making public education completely free across all levels.”
KUPPET’s call for reform comes at a critical juncture, with public schools grappling with severe financial constraints due to delayed and reduced capitation funds. The union has warned that without immediate action, schools may face closure as they struggle to pay suppliers, non-teaching staff, and maintain basic infrastructure. Misori urged the Ministry of Finance to disburse the full capitation of Ksh 22,244 per secondary school student for the 2025 academic year before the third term begins later this month.
The union’s push for fully free education aligns with its broader critique of the government’s education policies. Misori criticized the placement of Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) in primary schools, which he described as ill-equipped for adolescent learners.
“Equipping 23,000 primary schools from scratch is a waste of resources when over 12,000 secondary school classrooms and laboratories remain idle,” he said, advocating for JSS to be relocated to secondary schools with existing infrastructure.
Education stakeholders have echoed KUPPET’s concerns. The National Parents Association (NPA) chairman, Silas Obuhatsa, called for restored funding to prevent a collapse of the public education sector. Meanwhile, Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi admitted to financial constraints, noting that the government could only provide about Ksh 16,900 per student, falling short of the required Ksh 22,244. Mbadi suggested redirecting Ksh 21 billion from the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) bursaries to bridge the capitation gap, a proposal that has sparked mixed reactions.
KUPPET’s demands extend beyond funding. The union reiterated its call for the recruitment of 20,000 new teachers, a pledge made by President William Ruto during Labour Day celebrations, to address a national teacher shortage of over 106,000, particularly at the JSS level.
“It’s unacceptable that nearly 300,000 trained teachers remain unemployed while our students suffer,” Misori said, highlighting the impact of understaffing on education quality.
The proposal to abolish bursaries has stirred debate, with some praising its potential to streamline education funding and others cautioning against the loss of targeted financial aid for vulnerable students. Social media posts on X reflect the polarized sentiment, with some users lauding KUPPET’s vision for free education and others questioning the feasibility of the plan without clear funding mechanisms.
As schools prepare to reopen, the government faces mounting pressure to address these systemic challenges. Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has assured school managers that efforts are underway to resolve the cash flow crisis, but KUPPET’s ultimatum underscores the urgency of the situation. Without swift action, the union warns, the academic calendar could face unprecedented disruptions, affecting millions of students nationwide.
The call for a national conversation on free education marks a pivotal moment for Kenya’s education sector, challenging policymakers, educators, and citizens to rethink how the nation invests in its future.
