Capitation delays: Schools could close down as cash crunch bites
Capitation delays: Schools could close down as cash crunch bites
Capitation delays: Schools could close down as cash crunch bites
Concerns about capitation money being released one month after the start of the second term are being voiced by schools all around the nation. The timely completion of tasks is now in jeopardy due to the delay.
The fact that parents have been paying their fees late has further made the problem worse.
Head teachers in junior secondary and primary schools reported that in addition to finding it difficult to do their daily tasks, they are also finding it difficult to cover the teacher shortage and implement the requirements of the Competency-Based Curriculum.
Kenya Primary Schools Heads Association Chairman Johnson Nzioka warned of the precarious situation in primary schools because they exclusively depend on government funding and are not allowed to charge any extra fees.
According to Nzioka, the state of affairs extends to junior secondary domiciled in primary schools.
“We anticipate receiving funding prior to the midterm break; however, receiving the funds ahead of schedule will significantly improve the state of affairs in schools,” Nzioka stated yesterday.
Similarly, because day secondary schools only receive funding from capitation, they have a similar burden, according to Willy Kuria, chairman of the Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association.
Kuria, who also serves as the head of Murang’a High School, said that principals of boarding secondary schools deal with the same challenges of delayed government financing and parent-paid tuition.
Their problems are made worse by the ongoing issue of inadequate funds. The KESSHA chief stated, “Schools did not receive the full amount of capitation funds they were set to get for the first term.”
According to a KESSHA document titled “Free Secondary Education Capitation 2024,” the Ministry of Education last term released capitation at a rate of Sh8,319.68 per learner.
This is short of Sh11,000 allocated for first term per learner for capitation which is 50 percent of Sh22,244 provided as the total capitation for each learner every year.
“Therefore, a balance of Sh2,802.32 is still owing,” the document reads.
This term, the schools expect Sh6,673.20 which is 30 percent of the total capitation.
Despite the dire situation, Kuria disclosed that they have had discussions with the Ministry of Education, and there are signs that the monies may be disbursed this week.
“We are optimistic that the funds will be released this week, but some schools reopened on April 29 and have had their Form Four students in class since then,” he stated.
The potential of paralysis arises as schools prepare for the midterm break, which is scheduled for June 26 following a revision in the half-term break dates by the Ministry of Education.
The students were originally scheduled to take a second semester holiday from June 20 to June 23.
However, a May 24 circular to all County Directors of Education announced a change in the half-term dates to June 26.
On June 30, 2024, all boarding school students are expected to report back, according to the ministry, which also mentioned that schedules and scheduled activities may need to be adjusted in light of the changes.
This has seen various schools resort to arm-twist tactics to compel parents to meet their fee obligations.
One of the heads said his school got new teachers via the Board of Management to supplement for the staffing gaps in the junior secondary wing.
Some schools are reportedly notifying learners with fee balances to go home.
One of the parents sent a message that said, “Dear parent, this is a reminder to meet at least 70% of the fees balance for the second term on or before 3/06/2024.”
Kuria claims that day schools and special needs schools have been particularly heavily hit by the delays. Because they receive most of their revenue from the government, special needs schools have not been as negatively impacted, he claimed.
