Principals sound alarm over delayed capitation funds for schools

Secondary school principals nationwide are concerned about the delayed disbursement of capitation funds meant to support the Free Day Secondary Education (FDSE) programme.

Education officials have acknowledged the issue and promised that the funds will be transferred to schools by the end of this week.

On Monday, the Basic Education Principal Secretary, Dr. Belio Kipsang confirmed the situation during a meeting with representatives from the Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (KESSHA) in Nairobi.

According to PS Kipsang, the total allocation for secondary schools in the first term stands at Sh28 billion.

"It's true, the money is not yet in the school accounts. We hope to finalise the disbursement by Friday. It's a whole issue of cash flow, but we're working on it together with our colleagues at the National Treasury," he said.

However, despite assurances from the Ministry of Education, school heads are becoming increasingly frustrated. KESSHA's national chairman, Willy Kuria, expressed the dire financial situation in schools, especially day schools which rely heavily on capitation funds for their operational costs.

"We agree that the situation is pathetic in day schools. Imagine one month with no money. But we have been assured by the PS that the funds will be released this week at 50 per cent. We are waiting," Kuria said.

He added that if the funds were not disbursed soon, the situation would become unbearable, forcing schools to possibly ask parents to contribute.

"Day schools depend purely on capitation funds. If the funds are not dispatched this week, the situation will be unbearable," Kuria warned.

The funds, which are meant for tuition and operational expenses, have not arrived as expected, and this has led to serious operational challenges for schools.

Another principal, James Okeno of Gendia Secondary School in Homa Bay, shared his concerns, explaining that the absence of Form One admissions this year due to the shift from the 8-4-4 system has worsened the financial crisis.

"Form One students would give us a lot of revenue which would be used to rescue the situation in case of a delay in the disbursement of capitation funds," Okeno said.

"We cannot pay workers nor settle bills due to the delays. The financial crisis should be addressed as fast as possible to avoid more problems."

Okeno also highlighted the dilemma faced by school administrators who cannot send students home for non-payment of fees, leaving them caught in a financial bind.

The issue of delayed disbursements is not limited to secondary schools. Headteachers of comprehensive schools, which combine pre-primary, primary, and junior schools, have also raised concerns about inadequate capitation funds.

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Last week, the Ministry of Education disbursed only half of the expected first-term funds to primary and junior schools.

These headteachers are now planning a meeting with union officials to discuss their next steps.

"The money reflected in school accounts from Friday, but we are yet to touch it. How do we allocate it? The money is too little, we don't know what to do. Do we pay debts or use the money for other things?" asked one headteacher from a comprehensive school in Makueni County.

The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) has also voiced concern about the delays and their impact on school operations.

"We are aware that the government pronounced itself that it will release capitation on time, but up to now, most schools are yet to receive the disbursement. This is hampering school programmes," Hesbon Otieno, KNUT's deputy secretary-general, said.

In some cases, the financial strain has forced principals to send students home for non-payment of fees.

Otieno warned that such disruptions are affecting the smooth running of education in schools.