Schools to get capitation before Friday, gov’t assures

By Newsflash Writer

Schools across the country reopened on Monday, August 25, for the third and final term of the academic year, marking the start of a short but demanding season that will culminate in national examinations.

The nine-week term, the briefest in the school calendar, will run until October 24. Yet, as learners resume classes, many public schools are already feeling the strain, with capitation funds still pending. This term, Form Four candidates will sit the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education exams from November 3, while 1.2 million Grade Nine students take the inaugural Junior Secondary Education Assessment to determine senior school placement.

Grade Six pupils are also set for the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment to join junior secondary, while Grade Three learners will undergo the Kenya Learners Education Assessment. Last term, several schools shut down early due to depleted funds.

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has, however, reassured institutions that capitation will be released before week’s end. He urged parents to ensure learners report promptly, warning that the compressed term leaves no room for delays. “Schools are prepared for third term. Learning begins immediately. Learners have rested enough—it’s time for schooling,” he stated.

Funding shortages threaten stability

Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association chairperson Willy Kuria highlighted that schools continue to face serious funding deficits. He noted a shortfall of about Sh2,300 per student in the first term and Sh3,400 in the second, leaving government arrears of roughly Sh18 billion. For the current term, schools expect 20 percent of the Sh22,000 capitation per learner, and heads hope the funds are released without delay.

Kuria said the lack of money forced many schools, particularly day schools that rely entirely on capitation, to close early last term. “We could not sustain operations without funds. Feeding learners and paying suppliers became impossible,” he explained.

Parents, meanwhile, downplayed claims of illegal levies, with National Parents Association chairperson Silas Obuhatsa insisting most contributions had been approved at annual general meetings.

He urged schools not to send students home over unpaid fees, stressing that many parents only manage payments after receiving salaries, often at the start of the month.

Teachers’ unions have also expressed concern, warning that delayed funding jeopardises stability in the critical final term. Kenya Union of Special Needs Education Teachers chairperson James Torome said capitation should ideally be disbursed a week before reopening, urging the CS to act swiftly. Kenya National Union of Teachers deputy secretary-general Hesbon Otieno echoed these calls, emphasising that smooth learning depends on timely support.

The Kenya Teachers in Hardship Areas Welfare Association also pressed the government to recruit more staff and raise funding in marginalised regions. “Many schools here lack teachers and resources, making it hard to deliver quality education,” said national secretary Ndung’u Wangenye.