School heads have announced an early closure of schools, starting Monday, March 15 due to lack of funds as Kenya Certificate of Primary Education(KCPE) and Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education(KCSE) national examinations draw closer.
The headteachers pointed out that the purchase of examination material was faced with challenges as the government was yet to release the expected Ksh15 billion education funds.
Both primary and secondary schools are supposed to close by Friday, March 19 to pave way for candidates to sit the national examinations.
However, headteachers warned that the schools might close before then since they do not have funds to keep learners in schools until then.
“We have not received the money and principals who have spoken with me said they will start closing schools as early as today if the money is not sent to their accounts,” said Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association chairman Kahi Indimuli.
“Most of the school heads that have spoken with me said they are not able to keep the children in schools any longer. The government promised to release the final tranche of 25 percent by the end of February and we are still waiting,” Indimuli added.
The Cabinet Secretary for Education, George Magoha, had earlier said that the education funds would be released to all schools/ accounts by end of last week. However, the money is yet to be received, which poses a huge challenge in preparations for the national examinations.
“We shall release the money next week to schools and therefore no one should try to cause panic or anxiety,” assured Magoha on Thursday, March 11.
KCPE examinations are set to begin March 22 and run through to March 24 with 1,066,986 candidates expected to sit the examinations.
On the other hand, KCSE examinations are set to begin on March 25 and run for three weeks and three days. 699,745 candidates are expected to sit the national exam.
Some of the expected government funds are meant for purchase of materials needed in the KCSE practical exams and delay in the release of funds will have an negative impact on the candidates.
Distribution of the examination papers begins this week as selection and training of invigilators as well as county sensitization meetings set to be complete by the end of this week.
