Learners across the country are returning to school on Monday for the third and final term of the academic year. Concerns over School capitation funding continue to cast uncertainty over the reopening.

President William Ruto has said the government has already released Ksh 18 billion in capitation funds for the third term. However, education stakeholders have challenged the claim, saying many school heads are yet to receive the money.

The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) says the continued funding delays could leave school administrators with little choice but to seek additional financial support from parents.

Schools Struggle with Pending Bills

Despite the third term being the shortest in the school calendar, school heads say institutions are reopening under significant financial pressure. This is due to accumulated debts and unpaid bills resulting from irregular and fragmented capitation disbursements.

KUPPET Deputy Secretary General Moses Nthurima said schools have not received the full amount expected from the government. This has left many institutions struggling to meet their financial obligations.

According to Nthurima, the government is expected to provide Ksh 22,244 annually for every learner, but delayed and incomplete disbursements have pushed schools further into debt.

President Ruto, however, maintains that the government has already transferred Ksh 18 billion to schools for the third term. He dismissed claims that schools had not received the funds suggesting that some of the criticism was politically motivated.

KUPPET and several school heads have disputed the President’s position, maintaining that the financial situation on the ground remains difficult.

Nthurima questioned the government’s assurances and urged parents to prepare for the possibility of being asked to contribute more towards their children’s education if schools do not receive sufficient funding.

Capitation Shortfall Raises Further Concerns

Even if the latest Ksh 18 billion allocation reaches school accounts, concerns remain over the overall funding gap facing learning institutions.

The Kenyan Secondary School Heads Association (KESSHA) says schools have so far received Ksh 16,456.60 per learner this year, compared with the expected annual allocation of Ksh 22,244.

This represents a shortfall of Ksh 5,787.40 for every learner, equivalent to approximately 26% of the expected annual capitation.

The funding deficit is likely to increase pressure on school administrators as they attempt to settle outstanding bills while ensuring normal learning activities continue throughout the final term.