Ministry flags 2,145 ghost schools in nationwide audit

By Newsflash Writer

The Ministry of Education is grappling with a major challenge after discovering that 2,145 public primary schools across Kenya failed to meet the minimum enrolment threshold of 45 learners.

The revelation has raised serious concerns about sustainability, funding, and efficient resource allocation within the basic education sector.

The audit further revealed that ten schools in ten counties had no learners at all and have since been shut down, exposing deep inefficiencies in Kenya’s education management system. These findings emerged from an ongoing nationwide audit of Basic Education institutions, aimed at eliminating ‘ghost’ schools and ensuring that public funds only reach genuine learning institutions.

“The Office of the Auditor-General reported that some schools receiving government capitation were non-existent. Consequently, we launched a comprehensive verification exercise to determine the true number of schools and learners,” said Education Principal Secretary Julius Ogamba. He added that funding will only be disbursed to schools whose enrolment has been verified to promote accountability and transparency.

Funding adjustments after learner verification

During the third-term disbursement cycle, the Ministry based its funding request to the National Treasury on an enrolment of 5.8 million learners in 23,889 primary schools, seeking Sh1.65 billion. Of this, Sh1.36 billion has already been released to cater for 4.8 million learners.

“A total of 16,788 schools with an enrolment of 4.29 million learners were cleared for full capitation and received Sh1.22 billion,” said the PS. Another 3,979 schools, with 235,461 learners below the 90-learner mark, were also granted full funding amounting to Sh66.8 million.

Additionally, 3,065 schools that failed to submit accurate enrolment data were allocated 50 per cent of their funds based on National Education Management Information System (NEMIS) records, covering 280,900 learners and totalling Sh79.7 million.

Mr. Ogamba noted that the Ministry received Sh5.7 billion for 2.43 million learners in 20,927 Junior Schools. However, after verification, only 2.94 million learners in 20,630 schools were cleared for full disbursement, amounting to Sh5.13 billion. “This includes Sh78.2 million paid for 56,599 learners in 2,145 underenrolled schools and Sh122.4 million for 934 schools at 50 per cent allocation pending verification,” he added.

The PS said 934 schools remain under review due to missing or inaccurate data, with field officers working to ensure timely submission of correct information.

For secondary schools, the Ministry received Sh10.37 billion for third-term capitation based on an enrolment of 3.35 million learners in 9,550 schools. Verification confirmed 3.2 million learners and led to the release of Sh10.09 billion. Out of the 9,550 schools processed, 9,540 were funded, while ten institutions were closed for having no learners.

The shut-down schools include Kiria Secondary (Nyandarua), Dr. Machage Moheto (Migori), Ragia Forest High (Kiambu), Mugwandi Mixed (Kirinyaga), Friends Bulovi (Kakamega), Loiwat High (Baringo), Ngamba Secondary (Murang’a), Sintakara Secondary (Narok), Maji Mazuri Mixed (Baringo), and Fr. Leo Staples Girls (West Pokot).

The Ministry has pledged to tighten monitoring, strengthen data verification, and rationalise resources to prevent further loss of public funds through ghost learners and non-existent institutions.