Principals Protest As Gov’t Release Insufficient Capitation to Schools
Starting on September 21, 2023, secondary schools have begun receiving the Free Day Secondary Education (FDSE) capitation funds directly into their accounts. Amos Cherono, the National Treasurer of the Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (KESSHA), confirmed the disbursement of funds to schools.
However, he expressed concerns about the adequacy of the allocated Ksh2,500 per student from the Ministry of Education (MoE). Of this amount, Ksh500 is designated for tuition, while Ksh2,000 is meant to cover operational expenses for the entire term. Cherono emphasized that this funding falls significantly short, especially considering the outstanding bills that schools need to settle.
In a conversation with Education News, Cherono highlighted that schools had anticipated receiving Ksh7,000 from the government to ensure smooth operations but were dismayed by the much lower sum they received.
He further pointed out that this shortage in funds could lead to difficulties in dealing with unpaid suppliers, some of whom might resort to legal action against the schools for perceived unfair treatment. Cherono suggested that schools might have to request parents’ contributions to support various aspects of school management, including purchasing exercise books for their children.
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Reports indicate that schools collectively owe suppliers an amount exceeding Ksh29 billion in unpaid bills, with certain school Principals reportedly avoiding confrontations with disgruntled service providers.
On September 15, the Basic Education Principal Secretary (PS), Dr. Belio Kipsang, disclosed that the Ministry had received Ksh16 billion from the National Treasury for distribution to public primary, junior, and senior schools. This allocation would be credited to respective school accounts by September 20.
Of this total, junior secondary schools would receive Ksh1.7 billion, primary schools would receive Ksh1.5 billion under Free Primary Education (FPE), and secondary schools would be allocated Ksh12.9 billion under FDSE capitation.
Principals Protest As Gov’t Release Insufficient Capitation to Schools
