The government has released Ksh21.8 billion in capitation grants to public basic education institutions just days before the new academic term, set to begin on August 26, 2024. This move, hailed as crucial by education stakeholders, comes as a relief to schools that were teetering on the edge of financial instability due to delayed funding.
The release comes at time when the education sector is uncertain whether or not teachers will down tools come Monday.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos confirmed the release of the funds, emphasising that the allocation is intended to ensure the smooth resumption of school activities. The funds are divided among the three levels of basic education: Ksh1.62 billion for Free Primary Education, Ksh6.1 billion for Free Day Junior School Education, and Ksh14.1 billion for Free Day Secondary Education.
Migos stressed the importance of these funds in fulfilling the government's constitutional obligation to provide free and compulsory basic education to every child, as enshrined in Article 53(1)(b) of the Kenyan Constitution.
"The timely release of these funds underscores our commitment to ensuring that no child is left behind in accessing quality education," Migos stated.
The announcement, however, follows a period of intense anxiety within the education sector. Just last month, the Kenya Primary Schools Head Teachers Association (KEPSHA) sounded the alarm over the government's failure to disburse the necessary capitation funds.
KEPSHA Chairman Johnson Nzioka highlighted the dire financial straits schools faced, warning that the situation was nearing a crisis point.
Nzioka's concerns were echoed by KEPSHA's National Treasurer, Kennedy Kyeva, who pointed out that the delay in funding had already begun to disrupt essential school operations, including co-curricular activities. Nzioka further revealed that the government had only released a portion of the funds owed in the previous term, leaving schools with significant unpaid debts.
"The Ministry of Education had assured us that 30 per cent of the capitation would be released on time for the second term, but this promise was not fulfilled," Nzioka lamented.
He also criticised the government's handling of the National Education Management Information System (NEMIS), which he claimed was being used as an excuse for the delayed disbursements. According to Nzioka, the information entered into NEMIS is often erased, leading to further confusion and challenges in maintaining accurate records.
The partial release of capitation for Junior Secondary Schools has also been a point of contention, with only 50 per cent of the required funds having been provided. This shortfall has left many schools struggling to meet their operational needs, raising fears that the resumption of the new term could be chaotic without the necessary financial support.
As schools prepare to reopen, Migos has issued a stern warning to school heads and principals to use the funds prudently, stressing that any misuse of these public resources will be met with strict consequences.
He also reiterated that the Ministry would not tolerate the imposition of unauthorised levies on parents, a practice that has become increasingly common as schools grapple with funding shortfalls.
"The funds are for the benefit of the learners, and any deviation from this will be dealt with firmly," Migos declared.
Despite the recent release of funds, the concerns raised by KEPSHA signal a deeper issue within the management of education financing in Kenya. The delay in disbursements has highlighted the precariousness of the current funding model, raising questions about the sustainability of the government's commitments to free education.
For now, the release of the Ksh21.8 billion capitation grant offers a temporary reprieve for schools and parents alike. However, the underlying issues surrounding funding delays and system inefficiencies remain a significant challenge that the Ministry of Education will need to address to prevent future crises.
