Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (KESSHA) chairman Kahi Indimuli has proposed the increment of capitation from the current figure of Sh22,244 to Sh30,000 per student.
Speaking on Wednesday during the 46th Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (KESSHA) Conference in Mombasa, Indimuli said they have been having challenges in managing schools.
He said this is due to the recent increase of commodity prices and late disbursement of funds from the government.
“I’m faced with a challenge when my colleagues say that we don't even get 100 per cent of the Sh22,244, how do we ask for more and even the little one doesn't come? How will it happen?" Indimuli asked.
Indimuli said that in the Financial Year 2021-22, head of schools had proposed Sh17,792 which included the retained money at the ministry for Edu Afya and activities.
However, he said there is a balance of Sh4,451 per student for that academic year.
He added that in the Financial Year 2022-23, they received a similar figure of Sh17,000 and are still looking for Sh5,000 deficit per student.
Indimuli said that schools are owed a sum amount of Sh8,901 per learner in unremitted capitation funds.
“We shall send the children home to come for this money,” Indimuli said.
The chairman further said that the only way to clear the deficit is by urging parents to pay fees for their children in boarding schools.
“When capitation is released and then the parents are told that we have now sent funds to schools and therefore no children should be sent home, it hurts us because, how do we feed them? How do we provide water and sanitation? Because once children come to my school it becomes my responsibility,” Indimuli said.
"I know as a government you have various ways of funding budget deficit and you find ways of borrowing here and there to bridge that gap. As schools we don't have the leeway to borrow to our budget deficit.
“So, encourage parents to pay fees for those in boarding schools and lunch money for day scholars because we are not able to meet our budget deficits.”
