KUPPET demands release of capitation funds amid cash crunch in schools

The fate of thousands of learners hangs in the balance as the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has warned that schools may be forced to shut down at midterm if capitation funds are not released.

The officials said many institutions are already struggling to keep operations running just a week after reopening for the final term.

Led by national chairman Omboko Milemba during a meeting in Eldoret, the union said schools were already in a financial crisis, a situation that could worsen as learners prepare for national examinations.

Milemba recalled that last term ended earlier than scheduled because of similar funding delays, insisting that the government must urgently act to avoid a repeat.

“Schools have been opened, but remember that last term, the schools were closed earlier because we did not have capitation funds. Now, one week after opening, we still don’t have the funds.”

“This is the shortest term, which is usually very busy because of examinations, strikes, etc. So we don’t want capitation as an excuse, and that is why we are asking CS John Mbadi to send the capitation on time, as early as Monday next week,” Milemba said.

He warned that failure to release the funds could leave schools with no option but to close. “If he doesn’t send, when schools will be breaking for mid-term, we will have to close the schools.”

The officials also addressed concerns about the troubled teachers’ health insurance, issuing a 21-day ultimatum to the government to take action against those accused of embezzling funds from the Social Health Authority (SHA).

They threatened that teachers would withhold their contributions if accountability was not enforced.

“We cannot pay the money, and someone else is opening a tab, where he is picking up the money, billions of shillings and going away with it. We are giving the minister 21 days to arrest the culprits, whom he says he sent the money to.”

“This money was not sent at night; he sent it using a computer line so he could go there, pick up the money, arrest the people and present them before the court,” Milemba said.

Parents and education stakeholders have also expressed anxiety after the second term ended prematurely over a lack of funding.

However, the Education Ministry assured that the government has prioritised disbursement to schools.

Treasury CS Mbadi confirmed that Sh23 billion will be released to more than 45,000 schools to sustain learning and ease the financial strain.

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba also pledged that the funds would be released before the end of the week.

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• Capitation Funds
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Schools reopened on Monday for the third term, which runs until October 24.

The nine-week calendar is the shortest of the year and will see learners sit national examinations, including the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment for Grade Six and the Kenya Learners Education Assessment for Grade Three.

Kenya Primary School Heads Association Chairperson Fuad Ali said that although schools had resumed without funds, learning had to continue.

“Schools are open and none is postponing reopening because of capitation. Yes, the money has not come in yet, but learning has to go on,” he said.

He added that learners had already selected their preferred pathways ahead of the final examinations and called on parents to ensure their children attend school consistently during the busy term.