Principals Deny School Full Capitation Disbursement, Demand Sh7 Billion in Arrears

Principals Deny School Full Capitation Disbursement, Demand Sh7 Billion in Arrears.

Secondary school principals have refuted government claims that full capitation funds for the first term have been disbursed, stating that schools are still owed Sh7 billion. The Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (Kessha) emphasized that with only two weeks remaining before schools close on April 4, 2025, institutions are yet to receive the full amount.

Kessha has urged the Ministry of Education to address the financial shortfall to ensure smooth school operations and the well-being of learners nationwide. The association expressed concerns over financial constraints affecting staff salary payments and statutory deductions, leading to a surge in lawsuits against schools.

Government Disbursement Figures Questioned

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba announced that the government had released Sh14 billion to secondary schools for the first term. However, principals argue that only half of the expected capitation has reached schools. Kessha chairperson Willy Kuria stated that each learner is still owed Sh2,303 for the first term, underscoring that this amount is crucial for covering essential operational costs.

According to Mr. Kuria, in addition to the Sh7 billion owed to schools, the Ministry of Education has an outstanding debt of Sh60 billion from 2023 due to unfunded students. He explained that based on 2024 ministry data, the annual capitation per student stands at Sh22,244, with Sh11,122 (50%) expected for the first term. However, schools have only received Sh8,819 per learner so far, translating to 78.6% of the expected disbursement.

Retained and Redirected Funds

The principals further highlighted that not all of the Sh8,819 per student has been allocated directly to schools. Sh100 per learner was redirected to the Centre for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education in Africa (CEMASTEA) for capacity building, while Sh325 per student was retained for co-curricular activities. Additionally, Sh2,000 was set aside for infrastructure development, encroaching on operational vote heads and exacerbating financial struggles.

From 2021 to 2023 alone, the Ministry of Education reportedly retained Sh25 billion from capitation funds. Principals have proposed alternative methods for funding infrastructure to prevent further deductions from capitation. They also urged the government to disburse the full capitation amount of Sh22,244 per student without withholding any portion.

Call for Strict Adherence to Capitation Formula

Kessha insists that the Ministry of Education must adhere to the approved capitation disbursement formula, which allocates 50% in Term 1, 30% in Term 2, and 20% in Term 3. Additionally, they emphasized that capitation should be based on the actual student population rather than the previous year’s enrollment data, which often fluctuates.

The financial strain is worsened by the absence of new Form One students in 2025, eliminating the benefits of economies of scale. Schools face difficulties in sustaining operations without adjustments to capitation and other funding mechanisms.

Opposition to Fee Arrears Policy

Principals also criticized the government’s directive compelling schools to release KCPE and KCSE certificates despite outstanding fees. While Mr. Ogamba described withholding certificates as illegal, Kessha argues that the arrears represent services and goods already provided. They called for guidance from the Ministry of Education on handling unpaid fees from graduating students.

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Need for Capitation Review

In response to rising inflation and increasing operational costs, Kessha proposed a revision of capitation, boarding fees, and lunch fees in public secondary schools. They stressed that maintaining and improving learning environments is vital to ensuring quality education.

Mr. Kuria concluded by warning that failure to address these financial concerns would negatively impact secondary education, ultimately compromising the well-being of learners.

Principals Deny School Full Capitation Disbursement, Demand Sh7 Billion in Arrears.

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