Senators Demand Immediate Payment of Sh64bn School Capitation Arrears from Govt

Senators Demand Immediate Payment of Sh64bn School Capitation Arrears from Govt.

Senators are urging the National Treasury to prioritize the prompt release of capitation funds to public schools to mitigate ongoing financial difficulties. Currently, the outstanding arrears exceed Sh64 billion, posing significant challenges to school operations nationwide.

This issue arises from continuous delays in disbursing capitation grants. Two weeks ago, school administrators raised concerns over a pending Sh7 billion for the first term of 2025. With schools scheduled to close by April 4, 2025, the situation has become critical.

Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (KESSHA) chairman Willy Kuria highlighted that the Sh7 billion shortfall adds to the existing Sh60 billion owed by the Treasury to the Ministry of Education for pupils unfunded since 2023. Due to this, schools are struggling to meet essential financial obligations, including paying staff salaries and statutory deductions.

KESSHA further noted that partial disbursements have placed schools in precarious positions, limiting their ability to cover operational costs and ensure quality education delivery. The current student population in secondary schools, based on 2024 Ministry of Education data, stands at three million.

The annual capitation per learner is Sh22,244, with Sh11,122—50%—expected to be disbursed in the first term. However, schools are still owed Sh2,303 per learner for the term, a shortfall that is straining school resources.

Senate Calls for Investigations

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna emphasized the need for a long-term strategy to prevent future delays in capitation disbursements. He suggested the Senate Committee on Education investigate the National Treasury’s failure to release the funds despite the severe financial constraints schools face.

Sifuna also called for measures to protect school administrators from potential legal and financial liabilities stemming from unpaid suppliers and increasing stakeholder pressure.

Nominated Senator Esther Okenyuri urged the government to prioritize capitation disbursements, arguing that school heads should not have to use personal funds to sustain school operations. She stressed the necessity of timely funding to ensure staff salaries are paid and students receive necessary provisions, such as food, to keep them in school.

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba recently acknowledged that the government has not yet fully disbursed capitation funds for the first term. He explained that capitation is released in phases: 50% in the first term, 30% in the second term, and 20% in the third term.

Although schools have received the initial 50%, he assured that his ministry is working to ensure funds for the second term are available upon school reopening.

Ogamba admitted that financial constraints occasionally cause delays but reiterated that efforts are being made to prevent future disbursement issues. His remarks followed complaints from school heads who noted that, with less than two weeks remaining in the term, they had yet to receive a substantial portion of the required funds.

Urgent Need for Investment in Education

The Kenya Secondary School Heads Association urged the Ministry of Education to bridge the financial gap to ensure seamless school operations and safeguard the well-being of thousands of students.

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Nominated Senator Beatrice Ogola stressed the importance of adhering to the academic calendar for educational success. She pointed out that schools can only operate efficiently if allocated funds are disbursed on time.

Ogola emphasized that success in education requires investment, stating that schools rely on these funds for infrastructure development and hiring additional teachers in cases of shortages. She insisted that, since these funds have already been budgeted for, their timely release is imperative for schools to function effectively.

Senators Demand Immediate Payment of Sh64bn School Capitation Arrears from Govt.

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