Headteachers Call for Timely Funds to Avert Strikes and Disruptions as Schools Reopen for Term Two This Week

Headteachers Call for Timely Funds to Avert Strikes and Disruptions as Schools Reopen for Term Two This Week.

This week, schools reopen for the second term, and headteachers are pressing the government to urgently release funds to avert potential unrest. The second term, known for its length and challenges, is crucial, and headteachers are concerned that without timely funding, the term will be marked by disruptions.

The Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (Kessha) national chairman, Mr. Willy Kuria, has urged the Education Ministry to ensure the capitation remains at Sh22,000 and is promptly sent to schools. This funding is vital for planning co-curricular activities, which are abundant during this term.

He emphasized that the lack of funds almost led to early school closures in the first term, leaving schools with only a balance of Sh2,300. He pleaded with the government to release the outstanding balance before the capitation for the second term is sent.

Mr. Kuria highlighted that co-curricular activities are a key feature of the second term, and when these are skipped due to lack of funding, it often leads to student unrest. He explained that a disruption in funding can create a destabilizing effect, leading to an increase in student riots.

The second term is regarded as the longest and most important period in the academic year. It is during this term that teachers work to cover the syllabus comprehensively, a factor that significantly affects national exam results. Mr. Kuria stressed that this term can also be prone to disturbances, such as strikes, due to mock exams and the anxiety they bring, particularly when students feel unprepared. As a result, principals must remain vigilant for signs of potential unrest.

The term, which begins on April 28, will run for 14 weeks, concluding on August 1. There will be a half-term break from June 25 to June 29. Schools will close for three weeks from August 4 to August 22 before the third term begins.

Government’s Response to Funding Concerns

In response to the funding issue, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba assured that efforts are underway to release the required funds to schools in a timely manner. He acknowledged that the capitation of Sh22,000 had not been fully disbursed due to the country’s economic challenges but emphasized that the government was working to ensure it would be released within the current financial year.

Mr. Ogamba also confirmed that the Ministry had been pushing Treasury to ensure the funds are transferred before the schools reopen, aiming to prevent disruptions.

In addition to the funding concerns, the headteachers’ association has called on the Education Ministry to withdraw a court case regarding the e-Citizen platform. The government had directed that school fees be paid through this platform, but the High Court ruled that this directive was unconstitutional, as it imposed a financial burden on parents without internet access or digital payment methods.

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Mr. Kuria urged the government to reconsider its position, suggesting that if the capitation funds are delayed, the situation with school fees payments could become even more difficult. He emphasized that school fees should be paid directly to the schools to avoid further complications. The Education CS, however, affirmed that the government requires all school payments to go through the e-Citizen platform and suggested waiting to see the outcome of the appeal.

Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok explained that the government’s plan to have school fees paid through e-Citizen was aimed at protecting parents from possible exploitation by unscrupulous school administrators. This move is intended to ensure transparency and fairness in the school fee payment process.

Headteachers Call for Timely Funds to Avert Strikes and Disruptions as Schools Reopen for Term Two This Week.

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