Principals Demands for Full Capitation Release as Govt Rejects School Fee Hike Proposal
Just a week after 1.4 million candidates from the 2023 Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) reported to secondary schools, school principals are now urging the government to release the full capitation funds.
The National Treasury had released a total of Sh31.3 billion to schools earlier this month, allocating Sh4.74 billion to the Free Primary Education program and Sh7.6 billion to the Junior Secondary School Capitation Grant.
Out of this funding, Sh2.8 billion was allocated to school examination and invigilation fees, with the Free Senior Secondary Education program receiving the largest share of Sh16.2 billion.
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However, the Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (Kessha), representing principals, is expressing concern that only half of the expected capitation has been disbursed, leaving schools struggling with significant outstanding bills.
Willy Kuria, acting national chairman of Kessha and Principal of Muranga High School, called on the Ministry of Education to release the full capitation to schools, emphasizing the impact on operations and warning of a crisis in institutions.
Kuria stated that each learner was allocated Sh4,000 instead of the expected Sh10,000, highlighting the need for the balance to facilitate smooth learning amid financial challenges.
Kuria further pointed out that the government owes learning institutions Sh64 billion in arrears due to partial remittance of the capitation over the years. Despite this financial strain, the proposal by principals to increase school fees was rejected by Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu.
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Machogu urged principals to use funds judiciously and assured stakeholders that the government is committed to providing Free Day Secondary Education grants, covering tuition and operational expenses.
Machogu emphasized that schools will continue to receive funds based on accurate enrollment data submitted through the National Education Management Information System (Nemis).
He reported that over 70% of those placed in secondary school have already reported by the January 15, 2024 deadline, expressing confidence in achieving the 100% transition goal.
The Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, is working to ensure all 1,400,329 KCPE 2023 candidates join their designated schools.
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Principals Demands for Full Capitation Release as Govt Rejects School Fee Hike Proposal
