KESSHA Urges Urgent Review of School Capitation Amid Rising Costs

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Muranga, Kenya| The Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (KESSHA) has called on the government to urgently review the capitation funds allocated to schools, citing escalating costs and financial difficulties that threaten to cripple learning institutions.

Speaking in Murang’a County, KESSHA Chairperson Mr. Willy Kuria emphasized the need for an upward revision of the current allocation of KSh 22,000 per student per year, which has remained unchanged since its introduction in 2017.

Rising Costs Strain Schools

Mr. Kuria, who also serves as the principal of Murang’a High School, noted that the value of the capitation funds has significantly diminished due to the rising cost of goods and services.

“The capitation amount was set seven years ago, and since then, the prices of essential school items have skyrocketed, leaving schools grappling with enormous debts,” Kuria explained.

He pointed out that the capitation funds are intended to cover not only the daily operational expenses of schools but also developmental costs, such as infrastructure renovation, construction projects, non-teaching staff salaries, and extracurricular activities.

However, the funds have become insufficient to meet these demands, forcing schools to operate on tight budgets and accumulate unpaid bills.

Financial Crunch Threatens Learning

According to Mr. Kuria, the financial strain has reached a critical level, with many schools barely able to sustain themselves.

“The money we receive is inadequate to manage schools effectively and clear mounting debts. The situation is dire, and if it remains unaddressed, we risk paralyzing learning in many institutions,” he warned.

Highlighting last year’s funding shortfall, Kuria revealed that the government disbursed KSh 7,000 less per student than required, forcing schools to close the year with unpaid bills.

The delayed release of capitation funds has further exacerbated the situation, leaving schools unable to purchase essential learning materials or settle debts with suppliers.

Challenges Intensified by Form One Admission Gap

This year’s lack of Form One admissions, a result of the double intake system introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, has compounded the financial challenges faced by schools.

Kuria explained that schools often rely on funds from new admissions to offset debts.

Without this revenue stream, institutions that depend solely on government capitation are struggling to stay afloat.

“The absence of Form One intake has worsened the financial crunch. We cannot buy learning materials, and suppliers are unwilling to deliver goods due to unpaid debts,” Kuria lamented.

Appeal for Government Intervention

Mr. Kuria called on the Ministry of Education to spearhead a comprehensive review of the capitation model to align it with current economic realities.

“We need to assess the annual expenditure per student and determine whether the current allocation is adequate. Stakeholders must convene to find a sustainable solution,” he urged.

The KESSHA chair also appealed to the government to expedite the release of capitation funds for the first term, recommending an immediate disbursement of at least 50% of the annual allocation.

“This will help schools operate smoothly and avoid disruptions to learning,” he added.

Schools Forced to Send Students Home

In a bid to stay operational, some schools have resorted to sending students home to collect additional fees from parents.

“We are left with no choice but to ask parents for financial contributions to keep the schools running,” Kuria said, noting that this is not a sustainable solution.

As schools continue to grapple with financial challenges, KESSHA has reiterated the urgency of addressing the funding crisis to safeguard the quality of education in Kenya.

“The debts are piling up, and we are doing the bare minimum to keep the children in school. The government must act swiftly to prevent further disruption,” Kuria concluded.

The plea by KESSHA underscores the critical need for a review of education funding policies to ensure that schools can provide a conducive learning environment for students despite the rising costs of living.


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Aksel Bii

A young outgoing person whose ready to make a change silently.

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