It’s been a long wait, but there’s finally good news for public secondary schools: the government will release the remaining Ksh 14 billion in capitation funds next week. Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has assured institutions that the money is on its way, urging school heads to hold off on sending students home over fee arrears.
For context, schools were promised Ksh 28 billion for the first term. However, as with many government pledges, only half of it had materialized—until now. Mr. Ogamba assured stakeholders that the balance would hit school accounts soon, ensuring that operations run smoothly.
Speaking at a meeting of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) principals at the Eldoret National Polytechnic, Ogamba emphasized that his ministry is working hand-in-hand with the Treasury to ensure the funds are wired to schools before the end of next week.
The Capitation Breakdown—And the Struggles
For parents wondering how this capitation works, here’s a quick breakdown: under the Free Primary Education Programme, the government allocates Ksh 1,420 per learner. Junior school students receive Ksh 15,042 each, while secondary school learners under the Free Day Secondary Education programme get Ksh 22,244.
Sounds great on paper, right? But in reality, delayed disbursements have left many schools in a financial chokehold, forcing administrators to send home students with unpaid fees and resort to drastic cost-cutting measures. Picture a school principal balancing the books like an acrobat—only this time, there’s no safety net.
Ogamba, however, insists that parents shouldn’t have to dig into their pockets. “It is not the parents who pay school fees. The government covers school fees through capitation, and we are doing everything possible to ensure that the balance of Ksh 14 billion is settled,” he said.
The Government’s Three-Step Capitation Plan
For those wondering why the money doesn’t just come in one lump sum (because, let’s be honest, that would be too easy), the government disburses the funds in three installments:
- First term: 50% of the total allocation
- Second term: 30%
- Third term: The remaining 20%
In theory, this system ensures a steady cash flow for schools. In practice, delays in these tranches have been a nightmare, forcing schools to run on fumes.
Politics, Reforms, and the Future
Mr. Ogamba didn’t mince words when addressing the governance of learning institutions. He warned against the politicization of school management, stressing that boards should stick to their mandate. “Public institutions will collapse without professionalism and integrity in administration and financial management. School heads must demonstrate competence,” he stated.
The Education CS also hinted at reforms in the TVET sector, particularly a review of courses to align them with job market demands. “The TVET reform agenda is central to our national skills strategy. We are making significant strides in implementing Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET) to ensure our graduates meet industry expectations,” he said.
With over 3.8 million youth either unemployed or in training, the government is keen on bridging the skills gap. The message is clear: the future belongs to those equipped with market-ready skills.
For now, the biggest sigh of relief will come from school administrators awaiting the long-overdue capitation funds. Here’s hoping the money doesn’t take a detour before landing in school accounts!