KESSHA Appeals for Capitation Increase as Rising Costs Force Schools into Debt.
The chairperson of the Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (KESSHA), Mr. Willy Kuria, has called for an upward review of capitation funds allocated to schools.
Speaking in Murang’a County, he highlighted that the current capitation of Ksh. 22,000 per student annually, established in 2017, is insufficient to meet the rising costs of school operations and items.
Kuria, who is also the principal of Murang’a High School, explained that capitation funds are used for various expenses, including operational costs, infrastructure development, salaries for non-teaching staff, and extracurricular activities.
He stressed that the gap between the allocated funds and actual school expenses has widened due to inflation, leaving many schools in debt.
Kuria noted that secondary schools are experiencing a financial crunch, which threatens to disrupt learning. He urged the Ministry of Education to lead a review of capitation funds to reflect current economic realities.
According to him, stakeholders should analyze the per-student expenditure annually to determine if government funding is adequate and identify ways to bridge the shortfall.
He reported that delayed government disbursements have exacerbated the situation, leaving schools with significant debts. Kuria revealed that last year, schools faced a deficit of Ksh. 7,000 per student, resulting in accumulated unpaid bills.
Kuria explained that many institutions are now unable to procure learning materials or pay suppliers, who remain reluctant to provide goods due to pending arrears.
Calls for Immediate Action
During the third week of the first term, Kuria expressed concerns that the financial strain has left schools with no option but to send students home for fees to keep operations running.
“The debts keep on piling because we are not getting enough money and we are just doing the bare minimum such as buying food just to keep the children in school and keep the institutions afloat,” remarked Kuria.
He urged the government to fast-track the release of funds and proposed that at least 50% of the capitation be disbursed promptly to ensure smooth school operations in the first term.
Quoting Kuria, “We are forced to do the bare minimum, such as buying food, just to keep children in school and institutions afloat.” He warned that if the issue is not resolved urgently, learning in many schools could be paralyzed.
In another statement, he remarked, “Without immediate government intervention, the debts will continue piling, and schools will struggle to function effectively.”
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Kuria emphasized that the absence of Form One admissions this year has further compounded the financial challenges, as schools are unable to raise extra funds to offset their debts.
“We are hoping that the money will be released soon and it should also be the 50 percent to help us run through the first term smoothly,” he added.
He urged stakeholders to convene promptly to address these pressing issues and ensure uninterrupted learning for students.
KESSHA Appeals for Capitation Increase as Rising Costs Force Schools into Debt.
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