Schools across the nation are teetering due to the delayed release of crucial capitation funds for free primary education.
This delay, now extending a month into the second term, has significantly disrupted the smooth running of school operations, raising alarms among educators and parents alike.
The government's yearly allocation of Ksh1,420 per primary school pupil has yet to materialise in many schools, compounding financial strain as parents also grapple with delayed fee payments.
This financial bottleneck has left head teachers in primary and junior secondary schools struggling to manage day-to-day activities, supplement teaching staff, and meet the requirements of the Competency-Based Curriculum.
Johnson Nzioka, chairperson of the Primary School Heads Association, voiced frustration over the government's unfulfilled promises.
"What was released was not timely, and it was only a portion of what we are due. We urgently need the Ministry to facilitate the disbursement of these funds to keep our schools operational," Nzioka stated.
The Free Primary Education (FPE) Capitation Funding Model follows a phased disbursement approach, allocating 50 per cent of funds in the first term, 30 per cent in the second term, and the remaining 20 per cent in the third term. Despite this structured system, persistent delays have wreaked havoc on school operations.
These funds are crucial for purchasing textbooks and other educational materials essential for enhancing the quality of learning. Additionally, they cover small repairs, administrative costs, and examination expenses. The disruption in timely funding has left schools struggling to maintain these critical functions especially following damages to school infrastructure from floods.
KEPSHA National Treasurer Kennedy Kyeva highlighted additional issues with the system, noting that some schools have been excluded due to errors in the National Education Management Information System (NEMIS).
"Capitation never reached these schools because they were reportedly missing from their NEMIS records," Kyeva said.
The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) has also criticised the government's handling of the situation. National Secretary General Collins Oyuu lamented the impact on school administrators and called for immediate action.
"Our school heads and primary school management are struggling. The late disbursement has not benefitted them as intended," Oyuu stated.
The government in March released Ksh7 billion to support junior secondary schools, while Ksh16 billion would fund the free day secondary school education programme. However, this has done little to alleviate the crisis faced by primary schools.
Educators are urging the government to resolve the impasse swiftly to prevent further disruption. The current situation not only jeopardises the education of millions, but also undermines the government's commitment to free primary education.
