National Treasury has assured schools that the government will next week release Sh48.8 billion capitation money for primary and secondary learning institutions.
The CS's remarks come against the backdrop of anxiety among school managers over delays in the disbursement of free education funds.
Schools reopened for the first term of the 2025 academic year on January 6 without money from the government, raising fears of total paralysis.
Some school heads have been contemplating sending learners home over fees despite state assurance that the funds would be released the soonest.
On Friday Mbadi asked school managers to be patient a little bit as the government plans to disburse the funds next week.
"Schools don't panic, teachers don't panic, school managers don't panic, next week treasury will release Sh48.8 Billion which is 50 per cent of this year's budget to fund our education system,'' Mbadi said.
Mbadi spoke at Kokona Village in Garsen Constituency during the official launch of a borehole project.
The CS said that the government has prioritised payment of capitation money to fund Primary, Junior Secondary and Secondary schools before anything else.
"We believe that the education system is critical and important as a social function,'' Mbadi said.
The CS said that money for counties will be released once the government disburses funds for free education to learning institutions.
"After that, I will release the money to the counties, that will be the next priority item. We will release Sh31 billion to our counties so that our counties can continue to function effectively,'' Mbadi said.
The CS said that once money for free education and counties is disbursed, he will then focus on paying civil servants whom he said will consume Sh75 billion.
Education CS Julius Ogamba had two weeks ago assured schools that the first tranche of the capitation money- Sh48.38 billion- would be released to schools as they opened.
Out of the amount, Sh4.1 billion has been allocated for all public primary schools while Sh15.3 billion is meant for Day Junior Secondary Schools.
A total of Sh28.9 billion is earmarked for Day Secondary schools ahead of the beginning of the 2025 academic year.
