Kenya’s Schools Financially Crippled As Gov’t Delay Capitation Funds
Public schools are facing a financial crisis because the government has yet to release capitation monies.
The government announced last week that it would disburse Sh48.8 billion, which represents 50% of the overall capitation budget for the 2025 academic year.
However, two weeks following the reopening of schools, studies in public schools may be suspended.
Headteachers have expressed worry and urged the government to release capitation monies as soon as possible.
The Kenya National Secondary Schools Association has also asked the government to consider disbursing capitation arrears that have accumulated over the last four years.
“The state should release Sh64 billion backlog of capitation that has been withheld over the last four years so that we can clear debts,” KESSHA chairperson Willy Kuria said.
Kuria, who is also the principal of Murang’a High Schools, stated that school heads are playing hide and seek with contractors who are camping in their offices seeking payment.
“Utilities like water and electricity have to be paid. We are struggling,” Kuria said.
“We have a deficit of about Sh7,000 per learner by the time we were closing schools in the third term last year. Schools are in debt.”
Loans First, Capitation Second
— NTV Kenya (@ntvkenya) January 17, 2025
The Finance Cabinet Secretary, John Mbadi has announced that the government will release 48 billion shillings to all public schools next week.#NTVWeekendEdition @MichelleNgele_ pic.twitter.com/Dwbo9wDuYV
The principal stated that schools’ bills range from Sh20 million to Sh70 million.
“Principals are being forced to endure harassment from suppliers who are at their offices demanding payment,” he said.
Last week, the National Treasury informed schools that the government will release Sh48.8 billion in capitation funds to primary and secondary schools this week.
Last Friday, Mbadi advised school administrators to be patient since the government intends to disburse the funds this week.
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“Schools don’t panic, teachers don’t panic, school managers don’t panic, next week Treasury will release Sh48.8 Billion which is 50 per cent of this year’s budget to fund our education system,” Mbadi said.
Mbadi addressed at the official launch of a borehole project in Kokona Village, Garsen Constituency.
The CS stated that the government has prioritized the payment of capitation money to subsidize primary, junior secondary, and secondary schools over everything else.
“We believe that the education system is critical and important as a social function,” Mbadi said.
Kenya’s Schools Financially Crippled As Gov’t Delay Capitation Funds.
