Education Ministry cites verification process for delayed capitation funds as schools face financial strain
Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok cited a special audit by the Auditor General, which flagged instances where funds were not reaching the intended schools.
Education Ministry cites verification process for delayed capitation funds as schools face financial strain
The Ministry of Education has attributed the delayed release of capitation funds to a thorough verification process aimed at ensuring that government money reaches the right schools and learners.
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Speaking on Tuesday during the Elimu Mashinani event in Narok County, Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok cited a special audit by the Auditor General, which flagged instances where funds were not reaching the intended schools.
He, however, noted that the government has now begun disbursing the first batch.
“I want to confirm to the country that the government released the first batch of capitation to schools last week. We received the money from the national treasury on Wednesday. Then we started working on a system of verification,” Bitok said.
He added that the verification process involves confirming the number of learners, schools and accounts to ensure proper allocation of funds.
“As of this morning, we have received verifications from more than 20,000 out of our 30,000 schools. By this coming Friday, with the support of our county and sub-county directors of education, all schools will have verified their information. This is to ensure that the right number of learners get this capitation,” he said.
The delay has, however, intensified financial strain on cash-strapped schools, with some threatening to send students home over unpaid fees. Union leaders, led by the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), have urged the government to urgently release capitation funds to struggling institutions.
The Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (KESSHA) expressed concern that day schools, which rely entirely on capitation for operational costs, are bearing the brunt. Boarding schools are also affected, with some principals setting deadlines for parents to clear fees or risk having their children sent home.
Several school heads have also revealed that the Ministry of Education instructed them to submit Unique Personal Identifier (UPI) forms for all learners before funds are disbursed, prompting confusion, given that schools have already reopened for the third term.
“We’ve been asked to verify documents before the capitation funds can be released. But in the meantime, we have bills to pay—water, electricity, food, among others. Are we expected to let these students go hungry? It’s disheartening that these issues are cropping up just as we approach examination time,” a principal said.
Other school heads highlighted that learners not captured in the National Education Management Information System (NEMIS) were previously excluded from funding due to a lack of birth certificates.
The confusion comes as schools are preparing candidates for national examinations, including the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA), Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA), and Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), scheduled between October and November.
KUPPET has now warned of potential school closures if capitation funds are not released by mid-term.
“Last term, schools closed early due to financial constraints. If this continues, principals may have no choice but to shut down again. Delaying capitation is like stealing from our children,” Deputy Secretary General Moses Nthurima said.
KUPPET national chair Omboko Milemba, who is also the Emuhaya MP, called for the restoration of full capitation to Sh22,200 per learner annually, dismissing the current Sh16,000 as inadequate.
“This slash in capitation has crippled schools. We are simply asking the government to implement what was recommended by the Dr Kilemi Mwiria commission,” he said.
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