Delayed Funding Forces Schools to Send Students Home.
The future of thousands of students in public schools across the country hangs in the balance as the government delays the disbursement of over Ksh 48.3 billion in capitation funds owed to these institutions.
The delay has caused significant disruption, with many students being sent home due to outstanding fee balances.
Public school head teachers have resorted to sending students home, citing insufficient funds to keep the schools running. Willy Kuria, the chairman of the Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association, has called on the government to urgently release the pending funds.
He reported that the lack of full capitation has created severe financial challenges for school administrators, forcing them to take drastic measures.
Kuria highlighted that many schools closed last year while still carrying substantial arrears owed by the government. These arrears have left thousands of staff members and support personnel unpaid, exacerbating the financial strain on institutions.
A Tough Decision for Schools
School heads maintain that their decision to send students home is not made in bad faith. According to Kuria, it is viewed as the only remaining option to keep schools operational.
He explained that last year’s capitation funds fell short, with each student receiving only Ksh 15,000 out of the expected Ksh 22,000. The balance of Ksh 7,000 per student was never disbursed, leaving schools burdened with substantial debts, including unpaid salaries.
A spot-check conducted by Kenyans.co.ke revealed that numerous learners in public secondary schools have been sent home due to unpaid fees. Parents expressed frustration, sharing that school heads are demanding full fee payment despite partial payments already made.
In Siaya County, a parent narrated her ordeal, stating that her daughter was sent home on the first day of reporting to school despite having paid Ksh 5,000 of the required Ksh 14,000.
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She recounted sending additional funds to the school, but her daughter was still turned away. The principal reportedly insisted that without government funding, the only way to keep students in school was for parents to clear outstanding balances.
Broader Implications
The financial crisis in public schools has been compounded by delays in bursary and scholarship allocations from the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NGCDF). These delays further undermine the ability of students from low-income families to remain in school, leaving their future uncertain.
Delayed Funding Forces Schools to Send Students Home.
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