Ministry Cuts School Capitation by Sh5,000 per Student, Faces Sh22 Billion Shortfall
The Ministry of Education has announced a reduction in school capitation under the Free Secondary Education programme by approximately Sh5,000 per student. The ministry’s decision stems from a shortfall of Sh22 billion, which it attributes to stagnant funding over the past six years, despite an increasing student population.
Basic Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang revealed that the government has maintained a flat rate of Sh54 billion for capitation over this period, which can only fully accommodate 3.2 million students, significantly lower than the actual enrollment of 4.2 million.
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During a session with the Public Accounts Committee in the National Assembly, Kipsang stated that the current funding allocation could only cater to 3.2 million learners, leaving a deficit for the remaining students.
Consequently, the ministry has opted to reduce the capitation amount per student, affecting schools’ ability to provide essential resources such as learning materials and proper nutrition. The ministry has specifically reduced the capitation from Sh22,224 to approximately Sh17,000 per student.
Kipsang explained that the funding crisis is expected to be alleviated after the exit of the 2024 KCSE candidates in November and the break in Form One admissions in 2025, reducing the shortfall to about Sh11 billion.
He assured that the remaining deficit would be addressed in the 2024–2025 budget allocation, following consultations with the Education Committee. Despite concerns raised by school heads, Kipsang argued that the current funding was sufficient for most teaching and learning activities.
Addressing concerns over delayed capitation, Kipsang assured that the ministry would disburse Sh16.25 billion owed to public secondary schools within the next 10 days. This year, the government has allocated Sh65 billion for capitation, with 25 percent already released.
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However, the Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (Kessha) brought attention to the long-standing debt schools owe, with deficits ranging from approximately Sh5,000 to Sh4,905 per student over the past few financial years.
In response to questions about illegal fees and extra levies in schools, Kipsang stated that plans were underway to enact legislation to address this issue.
He mentioned that the ministry had prepared bills aligned with reform recommendations by the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms, aimed at curbing such practices and ensuring effective enforcement.
Ministry Cuts School Capitation by Sh5,000 per Student, Faces Sh22 Billion Shortfall
