There is growing concern that learning in public schools across Kenya could be disrupted and possibly come to an early end due to the government’s failure to release enough capitation funds needed for second-term activities.
On Monday, the Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (KESSHA) raised the alarm over delays in the disbursement of funds. According to the association, many schools are now being forced to make difficult choices just to stay afloat, including reducing spending on essential services and learning materials.
KESSHA Secretary General Abdi Noor explained that the delay is seriously affecting learning, as most schools are struggling to maintain daily operations. Many are also unable to pay suppliers, who provide crucial items such as food and teaching resources.
To address the issue, KESSHA is urging the government to act quickly, but they are also suggesting that parents step in to help by contributing part of the needed funds.
Noor explained that some schools have already been forced to send home teachers employed by their Boards of Management due to the lack of funds, which negatively impacts the quality of education.
“Many school heads are avoiding their suppliers because they don’t have the money to settle debts. Some of the highly qualified teachers hired by the Board of Management have been let go, and this is weakening the education being offered in our schools,” Noor said.
Under the current funding system, the government is expected to provide Ksh22,144 per student each year, disbursed in three phases: Ksh11,122 in the first term, Ksh6,673 in the second, and Ksh4,439 in the third term.
However, KESSHA revealed that in the first term of this year, the government only sent Ksh8,818 per student, falling short by Ksh2,304. For the second term, only Ksh3,471 has been released per student, creating a shortfall of Ksh3,202.
Noor also disclosed that schools are still owed a total of Ksh7.6 billion for the first term and Ksh10.6 billion for the second term. These huge unpaid amounts have left schools in a financial crisis, making it hard for them to function properly.
He proposed that the government should rethink its funding policy, which he described as outdated. He pointed out that the current formula doesn’t consider current challenges like inflation and the increasing cost of running schools.
“It used to be better when parents contributed a portion of the costs through cost-sharing. If the government is struggling to fund schools fully, parents should be allowed to step in and help,” Noor added.
Apart from asking parents to contribute, KESSHA is also calling on Members of Parliament to allocate part of their National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) to support schools that are running on empty.
This, they believe, could help bridge the funding gap and keep schools open through the end of the term.
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