KUPPET gives government one week to release capitation funds or face school shutdown

Public secondary schools are on the verge of shutting down after teachers gave the government a one-week deadline to release capitation funds or face a nationwide crisis in the education sector.

Speaking during the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) National Governing Council meeting on July 11, 2025, the union’s Secretary General Akelo Misori said the delay in releasing funds has pushed schools to the brink, with principals unable to sustain basic operations due to lack of money and poor fee collection from struggling parents.

“Principals are struggling to keep learners in school. They have waited for the government to release capitation funds, but it is taking too long. With the current economic hardships, most parents have not paid school fees. If nothing is done soon, it will be impossible to keep these schools running. The only viable option left may be to send students home,” said Misori..

Misori revealed that only Sh4,000 has been disbursed per learner since January, far below the Sh22,244 required. He said this shortfall has crippled key services in schools, including feeding programmes, electricity, water, teaching materials, and co-curricular activities.

“From January to now, only Sh4,000 has been released per student. That is drastically below the required amount. Schools need to pay for food, water, electricity, teaching materials, and co-curricular activities. Without proper funding, all these essential services are at risk,” Misori stressed.

He warned that school heads are stuck in an impossible situation, trying to keep schools running without adequate support while handling pressure from parents who cannot afford the fees.

Misori said the government’s silence on the matter is worsening the situation and that teachers are ready to take action if nothing changes.

KUPPET also raised concerns over the slow progress in Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) negotiations with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).

Misori noted that the current CBA will expire on June 30, 2025, and that although talks have started, TSC has failed to respond to the union’s proposals.

“TSC has remained silent even after being served with our proposal. We have taken the necessary steps to involve the Ministry of Labour because we are not ready to accept anything that does not improve the welfare of our members,” said Misori. He confirmed that they had written to the Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary, Alfred Mutua, to intervene.

The union is pushing for a 50 per cent salary increment for teachers in higher job groups and 100 per cent for those in lower grades. It is also demanding a harmonised house allowance, followed by a 20 per cent raise for all teachers across the board.

“In our proposed CBA, we are also asking for a 200 per cent increase in commuter allowance for higher grades and a 250 per cent increase for lower cadres. These teachers are incurring significant transport costs, especially those working in rural and remote areas,” said Misori.

He further stated that the union wants a 100 per cent increase in hardship allowance and the introduction of a hazardous duty allowance equal to 20 per cent of a teacher’s basic salary. Misori said many teachers in insecure and high-risk regions face daily threats and deserve fair compensation.

KUPPET also wants more support for teachers involved in co-curricular duties like sports, music and academic events. Misori said such teachers should be paid daily subsistence allowances according to their job groups instead of spending their money on school activities.

He also called for a change in leave allowance policy, proposing that all teachers receive one month’s basic pay instead of the current uneven flat rate system. Other proposals in the CBA include overtime allowances and risk pay for teachers posted in areas affected by banditry and insecurity in northern and eastern Kenya.

Other Topics To Read

• Education
• Alfred Mutua
• Kuppet
• TSC
• KNUT
• CBA
• omboko milemba
• Capitation Funds
• KUPPET retirement scheme
• KUPPET strike notice
• Kuppet officials
• Knut Secretary-General Collins Oyuu
• KUPPET gives government one week to release capitation funds or face school shutdown
• Headlines

KUPPET Chairperson Omboko Milemba backed the union’s demands and called for immediate intervention by the TSC, the Ministry of Labour, and Parliament’s Education Committee. He warned that failure to act will push the country into a full-blown education crisis.

“We must treat teachers with the dignity they deserve. They are the backbone of our education system. Ignoring their plight will only deepen the crisis in our schools,” Milemba said.

He also strongly opposed plans to remove the national examination fee subsidy, warning that the move would violate the constitutional right to education and exclude learners from poor families.

“Examination fees are a critical component of basic education. Removing them undermines Article 53 of the Constitution, which guarantees every child the right to free and compulsory education.

If we start charging exam fees again, we will be locking out thousands of poor children from progressing in their education,” warned Milemba.

With mounting frustrations among teachers, school heads and learners, KUPPET has made it clear that unless the government responds swiftly, learners will be sent home and schools will be shut down across the country.