Public schools are reeling in a financial crisis with the government yet to release capitation funds.
The government had last week asserted that it would release Sh48.8 billion, representing 50 per cent of the total capitation budget for the 2025 academic year.
However, two weeks after the reopening of schools, learning in public schools could be paralysed.
Headteachers have raised concern, urging the government to speedily release funds meant for capitation.
Kenya National Secondary Schools Association has also asked the government to consider disbursing capitation arrears that have accrued for the last four years.
"The state should release Sh64 billion backlog of capitation that has been withheld over the last four years so that we can clear debts,'' KESSHA chairperson Willy Kuria said.
Kuria, who is also the principal of Murang'a High Schools, said school heads are playing hide and seek with contractors who are camping in their offices seeking payment.
"Utilities like water and electricity have to be paid. We are struggling,'' Kuria said.
"We have a deficit of about Sh7,000 per learner by the time we were closing schools in the third term last year. Schools are in debt.''
The principal said that schools have bills ranging from Sh20 million to Sh70 million.
"Principals are being forced to endure harassment from suppliers who are at their offices demanding payment,'' he said.
Last week, the National Treasury assured schools that the government will this week release Sh48.8 billion capitation money for primary and secondary learning institutions.
Last Friday Mbadi asked school managers to be patient a little bit as the government plans to disburse the funds this 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.
