The government is set to release the delayed Sh14 billion capitation funds for schools beginning this week, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has confirmed.
Ogamba stated that his ministry was working closely with the Treasury to ensure that schools receive the funds without further delay.
“We are doing everything possible to ensure the balance is paid,” Ogamba assured as he urged school heads not to send learners home.
According to the CS, it was the government that pays the capitation and not the parents.
He mentioned that a team from the Ministry of Education is currently engaging with the Treasury to assess the availability of resources for the disbursement.
The CS, at the same time, stated that the ministry is working on a long-term mechanism to ensure that capitation funds are released on time, preventing future disruptions that have affected schools, teachers, and students.
Schools were to receive Sh28 billion for the first term, but the government only released half of it on January 30.
The funds, meant for tuition and operational expenses, are released in three tranches where 50 per cent is to be disbursed in the first term, 30 per cent in the second term and 20 per cent in the third term.
Under this free primary education program, the government allocates Sh1,420 per learner, while junior schools receive Sh15,042 per student.
Secondary schools are expected to receive Sh22, 244 per student under the free day secondary education programme.
Last week, school heads through the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) threatened to release students due to the financial crisis facing the institution.
