
Disbursement Delays Leave Kenyan Schools in Financial Distress
Schools in Kenya resumed learning after a short midterm break amid a cash crisis caused by delays in the disbursement of funds to learning institutions.
The Kenya Primary Schools Heads Association (KEPSHA) stated that schools are cash-strapped, as they have yet to receive full disbursement for the first term.
Johnson Nzioka, the KEPSHA chairperson, noted that Junior Secondary School (JSS) has not received any money since learners reported over a month ago.
He also stated that schools usually receive 50% of the capitation for the first term, but they have only received 20%. Nzioka added that schools are yet to receive guidelines on how to spend the money, as it is way below what they expect for schools to run smoothly.
He stated that they are still expecting the ministry to give them a guideline on how to spend that money.
According to Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu, the government will spend KES 9.6 billion for learners in JSS this year, with Sh15,000 set aside per learner as capitation to facilitate free learning in all public schools.
Public schools are prohibited from charging any admission fee for any Grade Seven learner due to the 100% transition policy in the same school where they were enrolled in Grade Six.
The CS stated that in the next financial year, the government will spend Sh18 billion for JSS learners’ capitation grants.
Of the Sh15,000 that will be released for each learner, Sh4,000 will be spent on infrastructure development, with the greatest priority being on laboratories.
Meanwhile, a section of secondary school parents complained of some principals now capitalizing on additional levies in the name of remedial fees.
According to the parents, it has been a toll order to raise school fees, but even after clearing the balance, their children are not allowed to classes until and unless they pay remedial fees.
They cited a school where they are required to first clear remedial fees of Sh1,800 for first and second term and Sh1,200 for the third term, which brings the total to almost Sh5,000 per year.
The parents urged Machogu to come to their rescue, saying it is causing a serious strain.
Disbursement Delays Leave Kenyan Schools in Financial Distress