Over 15,000 schools risk closure as capitation delay persists

By Newsflash Repoter

The Ministry of Education has come under sharp scrutiny after it emerged that more than 15,000 schools across the country are yet to receive their government capitation. The delay, which comes in the middle of the third term, has triggered fears that thousands of learners may be sent home if the matter is not resolved quickly.

On Sunday, September 7, Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok explained that the delay was linked to an ongoing nationwide audit ordered by the Auditor General and Members of Parliament. The audit was initiated after revelations that billions of shillings in school funds had previously been paid to non-existent schools, raising accountability concerns within the sector.

According to Bitok, only 3,000 out of the 22,000 public schools have so far received their allocation, as the auditing and verification process continues. He attributed the slow progress to school heads and sub-county directors of education who have not yet submitted their data in the required format.

“I have asked the team here to work throughout the weekend to ensure the money is wired as soon as possible,” Bitok said. “We are anticipating that by the end of next week, all 22,000 schools will have received their capitation. But I also call on principals and sub-county directors to expedite the process by submitting accurate data.”

Pressure mounts on the government

The delay has intensified pressure on the government from education stakeholders. On August 31, the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) warned that schools could be forced to close their doors before mid-term if the Treasury failed to release funds on time.

KUPPET chairperson Omboko Milemba noted that the prolonged delays had crippled school operations, leaving administrators unable to manage basic expenses such as utilities, meals, and salaries for non-teaching staff.

“In the first term, some schools closed earlier because there was no money. The government must act with urgency to prevent a repeat of that crisis,” Milemba said. “Principals are struggling, teachers are frustrated, and ultimately it is the learners who suffer because they are denied access to quality education.”

Milemba also warned that without immediate intervention, KUPPET would advise school heads to close institutions by mid-term rather than allow them to operate under severe financial strain.

Balancing accountability and learning continuity

While acknowledging the frustration among educators, PS Bitok insisted that the ongoing audit was crucial in safeguarding public resources. He explained that the government could not afford to release funds without first ensuring that only genuine schools and legitimate students were captured in the system.

“We want to make sure that every shilling is accounted for and that the mistakes of the past—where ghost schools benefited from billions—are not repeated,” he said.

Still, education analysts have warned that the government faces a delicate balancing act. On one hand, enforcing strict financial accountability is necessary to restore confidence in the capitation system. On the other, delays in disbursement risk destabilizing the academic calendar and affecting national exam preparation for candidates.

Stakeholders have urged the Ministry of Education and the Treasury to fast-track the process while still maintaining transparency, warning that prolonged delays could widen inequalities between well-funded and struggling schools.

For now, more than 15,000 institutions remain in limbo, waiting for capitation funds that many say are long overdue. The next few days will be critical in determining whether learning continues smoothly—or if thousands of learners across Kenya face yet another disruption in their education.