State given 7-day ultimatum to disburse capitation funds to schools

The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has issued a one-week ultimatum to the Ministry of Education, demanding the disbursement of capitation funds.

The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers has warned that failure to release the funds within the given period will prompt teachers to go on strike.

KUPPET’s Deputy Secretary-General, Moses Nthurima, expressed concern over the financial struggles faced by school administrators, noting that many schools are grappling with the lack of funds to operate effectively.

“Since schools opened for the new year, the government has not disbursed the necessary funds. Many schools are already facing serious financial challenges, including paying suppliers, contractors, workers, and student accommodation,” Nthurima said.

He added that school heads are burdened with accumulating debts, while the government continues to make public statements about learners finding money in school accounts.

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba had announced that the government would disburse Sh48.38 billion, representing 50 per cent of this year’s capitation to schools.

He said the ministry was working with the National Treasury to expedite school disbursement to avert a financial crisis.

However, schools have reportedly not received a single cent.

Students sent home

Last week, some schools started sending students back home due to the financial constraints.

Nthurima also raised concerns about the underutilisation of resources in secondary schools, particularly in specialised areas such as laboratories and sports equipment.

He noted that classrooms in these institutions remain empty, as Form One students have not been admitted this year.

The union leader further questioned the government’s approach to relocating Grade Nine learners to primary schools, suggesting that valuable resources in high schools are going to waste.

“The most qualified teachers, especially those in technical areas such as laboratories, are now idle. The classrooms in high schools have been left empty, yet teachers are still being pushed into primary schools due to fear of capitation,” he said.

While the Ministry of Education acknowledged grade 9 transition challenges, it announced that classrooms for Grade 9 students will face congestion for the first 30 days of the new academic year, as the government works to address a shortage of learning spaces.

Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang’ admitted that there are insufficient classrooms to accommodate the first Grade 9 cohort, adding that the Ministry will find ways to ensure learning is not disrupted.

“There will be congestion in some classrooms for 30 days as we work on constructing more. In situations where congestion becomes unmanageable, we may implement multi-shifts. For example, when one class is engaged in outdoor activities, another group can make use of the classroom,” Kipsang’ said.