The government has vowed to release school capitation funds meant for the second term, days after secondary school heads threatened to shut down operations due to the delay in disbursing funds.
In a statement on Monday, April 5, the Government Spokesperson, Isaac Mwaura, stated that the state will release Ksh21 billion in capitation funds this week.
Mwaura has urged the school heads across the country to remain patient as the government prepares to disburse the funds, which will be critical in the seamless running of schools throughout the term.
"Ksh21 billion Capitation school money due this week. School heads to remain patient as the government prepares to disburse capitation funds within the week," he stated.
The announcement to disburse the funds was first made by Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogomba on Friday, May 2, who assured that the funds would be pivotal in helping school heads plan for the second term.
For months, the delay in releasing capitation funds has long been a thorn in the flesh in the country's already struggling education system, particularly for secondary and primary schools.
In a press briefing on Saturday, May 3, representatives from the Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (KESSHA) warned that the reluctance of the government to disburse the funds had left secondary schools across the country struggling with debts, in turn crippling the institution's capacity to continue with operations.
"On issues touching on government funding, at times when there is a delay, it normally affects our services; for instance, there is a delay in paying for services from suppliers, which at times makes them not supply in time," said one KESSHA teacher.
"The delay in disbursing the capitation sometimes affects the performance of our schools. What we want to urge them to do is to fast-track the release of the capitation to schools," the teacher added.
Earlier in March, the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Secretary General Collins Oyuu also called for the release of Ksh 64 billion accumulated capitation funds.
In a press briefing on Monday, March 3, the SG warned that the continued delay in releasing the funds was the key reason why some heads of institutions opted to send students home before official closing dates.
"Why must capitation drag? How do you expect heads of institutions to manage schools? because you cannot use your own money to go and manage schools. At times when we hear heads of institutions and principals getting learners to go home early or for some time, we know the reasons," he stated.
