Education CS George Magoha and headteachers are embroiled in a row over a crisis that is almost full-blown, amid the KCPE/KCSE exams taking place.
School heads lamented that they were yet to receive Ksh15 billion capitation money, thus facing a dilemma over the administration of the national exams.
The headteachers said that it would be difficult to offer practical exams to students as they had not purchased the necessary chemicals. They added that candidates also faced the risk of sleeping hungry in schools as they owed debts to suppliers and cannot purchase more food stocks.
"Some schools had to close earlier than expected because they could no keep students in the institutions," Kenya Secondary School Heads Association Chairman, Kahi Indimuli said.
Indimuli, a few weeks before the exams commenced, said that the practical exams may be hampered as they had not purchased other requirements as specified by the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC).
He warned that students may miss out on three key science practical exams, Biology, Physics and Chemistry unless the government releases the money in good time.
CS Magoha, through his Principal Secretary, Julius Juan, however, said that the funds had been released and would be deployed to schools once the process is cleared and required channels followed.
Nonetheless, his ministry only offered half of the required amount, Ksh 7.5 billion. Magoha had earlier on said that he would release the full amount to schools.
The CS urged the school heads to ensure that schools do not plunge into a crisis, adding that they ought to manage the finances appropriately.
"Please use this money for what it is meant for. This time we want to thank God that we are alive. I have no plan to make any extra money this year, nobody should have any plans to do so.
“This money belongs to the children and God will punish you severely if you even smell the money. It is not about how much the government gives but how it is used," Magoha pleaded.
