Kenyan Government to Release Sh16.25 Billion in Capitation Funds for Secondary Education in 10 Days

The Kenyan Government to Release Sh16.25 Billion in Capitation Funds for Secondary Education

The Kenyan government has recently announced its plans to release Sh16.25 billion in capitation funds for secondary education. This move aims to tackle the financial challenges faced by public schools and ensure the smooth running of educational institutions across the country.

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The Principal Secretary for Basic Education, Belio Kipsang, revealed that the government has already disbursed 25 percent of the total capitation amount owed to public secondary schools. This demonstrates the government’s commitment to education by allocating Sh65 billion for Free Secondary Education capitation in the current financial year.

Kipsang also emphasized that the government aims to disburse 50 percent of the outstanding capitation amount by the end of the quarter. These funds will be deposited into respective school accounts within the next 10 days. This timely release of funds will alleviate the financial strain experienced by schools and enable them to provide essential services and resources to students.

The delayed release of capitation fees has been a cause for concern raised by the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT). The delay has hurt the smooth functioning of public schools, as teachers have struggled to meet their obligations due to the financial crisis caused by the delay. KNUT has urged the government to prioritize the release of funds to ensure the effective operation of schools and the provision of quality education to all students.

While the government has allocated Sh65 billion for capitation, Kipsang clarified that the amount per student has been revised downwards to Sh17,000. This adjustment aims to cater to all students and ensure equitable distribution of funds. However, this revision means that the government will not be able to fully fund approximately one million students in the current education system. This challenge needs to be addressed to ensure that every student has access to quality education.

Nominated MP John Mbadi, chair of the committee, has expressed concern about the underfunding of the education department, even with the revised capitation amount. He highlighted that the current allocation has not taken into account the depreciation of the Kenyan shilling, further exacerbating the financial challenges faced by schools. Mbadi has called for an increase in capitation by an additional Sh7,000 per student to bridge this funding gap.

It is important to note that the capitation funds allocated to schools are intended solely for tuition-related costs and not for providing meals to students. Kipsang clarified this misconception, emphasizing that the capitation funds are specifically designated for educational purposes. This clarification aims to dispel any misleading information that may have circulated regarding the use of these funds.

In conclusion, the imminent release of Sh16.25 billion in capitation funds for secondary education by the Kenyan government is a significant step towards supporting the education sector. This allocation will address the financial challenges faced by public schools and contribute to the provision of quality education for students. However, the underfunding of the education department and the need to revise the capitation amount to cater to all students remain critical issues that need to be addressed. The government needs to prioritize education and ensure that every student receives the support they need to succeed.