Schools Risks Early Closure Due to Lack of Funds, Warns Knut
The government is being accused by the Kenya National Union of Teachers of undermining the progress made in the education sector by withholding capitation funds. According to union officials, public schools are at risk of early closure due to the government’s failure to release capitation for the first term.
Only 25 percent of the 50 percent allocated for the first term has been disbursed by the government. Without explanation, Collins Oyuu, the Knut secretary general, noted a reduction in capitation for senior secondary schools from Sh21,000 to Sh17,000.
The KNUT Sec-Gen expressed concern over the dire state of learning in schools, attributing it to the government’s failure to adhere to the stipulated capitation fees.
Oyuu emphasized the financial strain experienced by school principals, who are compelled to send students home as they scramble to obtain funds to sustain the institutions.
Teachers Service Commission Bill
He addressed journalists in Naivasha following a meeting with all the union’s branch secretaries, indicating their readiness to engage with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to resolve the standoff surrounding the Teachers Service Commission Bill, 2024, which has sparked considerable controversy.
Oyuu highlighted discrepancies in the bill and expressed a willingness to negotiate for its amendment or withdrawal to facilitate further consultations.
Additionally, Oyuu opposed the Basic Education Bill, which suggests appointing county commissioners as heads of county education boards. He called for an audit of the Teacher Service Commission’s list of over 36,000 recently promoted teachers, questioning its validity.
Oyuu pledged the union’s commitment to advocating for teachers who have remained in one position for at least 12 years, vowing to ensure the proper utilisation of the Sh1.1 billion allocated for teacher promotions.
Patrick Karinga, the Knut chairman, described the two-day meeting with branch secretaries as an opportunity to address the challenges confronting teachers at the grassroots level. He stressed the importance of understanding these challenges to devise effective strategies moving forward.
Schools Risks Early Closure Due to Lack of Funds, Warns Knut
