Senators are urging the National Treasury to prioritize the swift release of school capitation funds to alleviate the ongoing financial difficulties facing public schools across the country.
The government has been urged to implement a long-term solution to avoid further delays, with schools accumulating arrears amounting to Sh67 billion.
Senator Edwin Sifuna of Nairobi stressed the importance of establishing a sustainable plan to ensure timely release of funds. He highlighted that consistent funding is crucial for the smooth operation of schools, supporting infrastructure projects, and paying suppliers.
“The Senate Education Committee must investigate why the Treasury has failed to release the funds despite the critical cash flow issues in public schools. They should also examine measures being implemented to protect school principals from legal and financial liabilities caused by unpaid suppliers and growing pressure from other stakeholders,” Sifuna remarked.
Senator Esther Okenyuri echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the need for the government to prioritize capitation payments to help school administrators meet their financial commitments.
“School heads cannot be expected to fund school operations from their own pockets. The government must make capitation a priority to ensure heads can pay staff and provide essential services like food to students,” Okenyuri said.
Senator Beatrice Ogola also stressed the importance of timely funding to ensure the effective operation of schools.
“Schools operate on fixed calendars, and timely investment is critical to their success. Without it, we cannot expect positive outcomes. The government must commit to funding education adequately,” Ogola said.
Billions in Unpaid Debts
School heads have raised alarms about the Sh7 billion owed for the first term of 2025, with the academic year set to end this week. Additionally, the Treasury owes the Ministry of Education Sh60 billion for pupils who were not funded in 2023.
Willy Kuria, chairman of the Kenya Secondary School Heads Association, pointed out that the delay in capitation payments has left schools struggling to pay staff salaries and meet other financial obligations.
Kuria explained that each of the 3 million learners in secondary schools is entitled to an annual capitation of Sh22,244, with half of that amount expected in the first term. However, schools are still owed Sh2,303 per learner for the current term.
“The Ministry of Education needs to recognize that schools have not received the full capitation amount owed to them,” Kuria said.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba acknowledged last month that the full capitation for the first term has not yet been disbursed. However, he reassured school heads that the remaining funds would be provided for the second term.
“While we have disbursed 50% of the capitation for the first term, which is the standard practice, we understand the challenges schools are facing. We are committed to ensuring that the remaining funds are released for the second term,” Ogamba explained.
