Capitation Delays Threaten Closure of Schools Amid Cash Crunch.
Schools nationwide are raising concerns about the delayed release of capitation funds, which are crucial for their operations. These funds are yet to reach schools despite the second term starting over a month ago, causing significant disruptions.
Adding to the financial strain is the delayed payment of fees by parents, exacerbating the already precarious situation. Both junior secondary and primary schools are particularly hard-hit, as they struggle to meet daily operational costs, address teacher shortages, and support the Competency-Based Curriculum.
Chairman of the Kenya Primary Schools Heads Association, Johnson Nzioka, emphasized the dire circumstances primary schools face. These institutions solely rely on government funding and cannot charge additional fees. The funding shortfall also impacts junior secondary schools within primary schools. Nzioka hoped for the release of funds before the midterm break and stressed the urgent need for immediate financial support to stabilize school operations.
Similarly, Willy Kuria, Chairman of the Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association and head of Murang’a High School, reported that day secondary schools are also struggling due to their dependence on capitation funds. Boarding secondary schools face a dual challenge of delayed government funding and late fee payments from parents. Kuria pointed out that under-funding is a chronic issue, with schools not receiving the full amount of capitation funds for the first term.
A report by the Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (KESSHA) titled “Free Secondary Education Capitation 2024” revealed that the Ministry of Education released only KSh 8,319.68 per student last term. This falls short of the KSh 11,000 allocated for the first term per student, which represents 50% of the annual capitation amount of KSh 22,244. Consequently, a balance of KSh 2,802.32 remains unpaid. For the current term, schools are expecting KSh 6,673.20, which is 30% of the total capitation.
Kuria mentioned that discussions with the Ministry of Education suggest that the funds could be released this week, despite the grim financial outlook. “Some schools reopened on April 29 and have had their Form Four students in class since then. We hope that the funds will be released this week,” he said.
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The threat of operational paralysis looms as schools prepare for the midterm break scheduled for June 26, following a change in dates by the Ministry of Education. A circular dated May 24 moved the initial break dates from June 20 to 23 to June 26. This change requires an adjustment to planned activities and schedules as boarding school students must return by June 30, 2024.
This change has further complicated the situation for some schools, leading to various strategies to ensure fee payments. Some schools have resorted to pressuring parents to meet their fee obligations. For instance, a message sent to a parent read, “Dear parent, this is a reminder to meet at least 70 percent fees balance for the second term on or before 3/06/2024.”
Kuria emphasized that day schools and special needs schools, which largely depend on government support, have suffered significant impacts.
In response to these challenges, some schools have hired new teachers through the Board of Management to fill staffing gaps in junior secondary sections. Others have notified students with outstanding fees to stay home until payments are made.
As the midterm break approaches, the urgent release of capitation funds remains critical to prevent further disruptions and ensure the smooth running of schools across the country.
Capitation Delays Threaten Closure of Schools Amid Cash Crunch.
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