The Ministry of Education has released Ksh17.47 billion to public schools in a bid to absorb them from a looming financial crisis that may disrupt the academic calendar.
The Ministry announced the release of the funds on Tuesday, August 3 following complaints by school heads over lack of funds to effectively run the institutions of learning.
The school heads had expressed fear that learning would be paralysed as many schools did not have resources to run their programs.
A recent report titled "Teacher Preparedness for Term One 2021 School Reopening" released last month by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), pointed out financial constraints experienced by schools saying that these challenges posed a threat to the learning process.
According to the Ministry of Education, Ksh2.63 billion would go to primary schools while Ksh14.85 billion would be channeled to secondary schools.
Upon releasing the funds, the Ministry asked school heads to ensure that learning activities continue uninterrupted during the term.
"Principals are advised to keep all their learners at their respective schools to ensure no part of class time is lost during the shortened academic calendar,” read part of the statement from the Ministry.
Further, school heads were directed to engage in dialogues with parents who had school fees arrears to enable smooth operation in schools.
"Principals should dialogue with parents of learners with fee balances to find practical ways of clearing any arrears.”
The Ministry also issued a stern warning to the principals against imposing additional fees – noting that such schemes would not be tolerated.
Initially, Education CS George Magoha had assured parents that funding would be disbursed within the first week of reopening.
"There is no need for parents to worry because when you look at it, primary education is compulsory and free according to the constitution.
"Nobody pays for fees unless it's of one's own volition. In the case of secondary fees, the government gives 22,244 for every child in day school and boarding catering for all manner of things," Magoha stated at a past press briefing.
