Schools Struggle to Cope with Rising Costs of Food and Essential Supplies
The increasing prices of food and other essential supplies have become a significant challenge for boarding schools.
Principals are finding it difficult to manage their institutions due to shortages of cereals and escalating costs.
We explore the struggles faced by boarding schools in Kenya, including the financial burdens on parents, delayed government funding, and the impact on students’ education.
Shortage of Cereals and Essential Supplies
Boarding school principals have been forced to prioritize food items and electricity due to limited resources.
The scarcity of maize and beans, coupled with the rising cost of sugar and electricity, has become a significant concern.
Some schools owe millions of shillings to suppliers and subordinate staff.
The increasing food prices, such as a 50kg bag of sugar retailing at Sh10,000 and a 90kg bag of maize at Sh7,500, have further exacerbated the situation.
Financial Strains on Parents and Schools
Parents are also facing financial difficulties, leading to fee arrears accumulating in schools.
The government’s restriction on sending students home for unpaid fees has put additional pressure on school budgets.
Some schools have resorted to asking parents to provide food items in lieu of fees, but this approach has not been effective.
School heads report collecting less than 20% of the fees, making it challenging to meet financial obligations.
Impact on Learning Institutions
Learning institutions are operating with significant debts, procuring commodities at much higher prices than anticipated.
Schools in the Mt Kenya region are experiencing difficulties as suppliers have stopped delivering goods, resulting in increased costs.
Additionally, printing paper prices have risen from about Sh400 to Sh750, and sugar prices have skyrocketed to Sh10,500 from Sh5,060.
Insufficient Government Funding
The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) has warned that schools may face closure if the government does not release funding soon.
“Learning institutions are currently sustained by the mercies of suppliers of goods and services. Their patience is running out due to accumulated bills,” said Mr Paul Rotich, the Nandi County Kuppet secretary.
The capitation of Sh22,000 per student provided by the government is deemed insufficient to sustain schools in the face of rising costs.
“Parents are feeling the heat. We are collecting less than 20 per cent of the fees and still, we can’t send away these students.“
"We are forced to only give students specific services that are key in their learning process.” Says Riokindo Boys High School Principal Gerald Orina.
Efforts to Mitigate the Crisis:
Some schools have resorted to growing their own food to reduce costs. Principals are exploring various solutions, such as planting kales, to alleviate the burden of expensive supplies.
However, these measures only provide limited relief and do not address the underlying financial challenges faced by schools.
Schools Struggle to Cope with Rising Costs of Food and Essential Supplies