NAIROBI — Headteachers across Kenya are crying foul after the government disbursed alarmingly low capitation funds to public schools this term some receiving less than the cost of a loaf of bread.
In one Nyanza institution, the headteacher was stunned to find only KSh87 had been credited to the school account. “We couldn’t believe it,” he told local reporters. “We were expecting enough to run the term not pocket change.”
The government, through Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, has admitted there was a “glitch” in how the funds were allocated and promised urgent corrective action. Speaking on Wednesday in Kisii County at Riragia Technical and Vocational College’s first graduation ceremony, Mr Ogamba acknowledged that some schools had been short-changed.
“There might have been errors in the disbursement. The Ministry is already working with affected schools to sort it out,” he said.
Mr Ogamba also noted that for the first time, capitation funds for second term were released in May, earlier than in previous years. Last month, the Treasury released KSh21 billion for basic education institutions.
But on the ground, schools are in crisis.
At Ng’op Ngeso Comprehensive School in Nyanza, the government disbursed just KSh4,000 for a school with 215 learners and only eight teachers. According to headteacher Mark Onyango, the amount was nowhere near enough.
“What we are getting as capitation cannot enable us to manage the affairs of this school,” Mr Onyango said. “Our junior school learners have one classroom. Grade 7 pupils don’t even have proper learning space. And we only have one teacher for junior school.”
The Ministry’s circulars have also barred school heads from asking parents for top-up funds tightening the noose around already struggling institutions.
Some school leaders say the infrastructure is crumbling, classrooms are overcrowded, and bills are piling up, all while enrolment continues to rise.
In response, Nyanza Regional Director of Education Lawrence Karuntimi said he was not aware of the specific amounts received by schools but promised to escalate the matter. Kisumu County Education Executive John Awiti added that continued delays and underfunding risk “crippling the education system.”
The Ministry says funds are disbursed in three phases: 50% in Term One, 30% in Term Two, and 20% in Term Three. But with some schools receiving a fraction of what’s required, the funding model now faces serious scrutiny.
According to the Ministry, KSh22 billion was allocated for this term: KSh9 billion for Free Day Junior School education, KSh118 million for special needs, and KSh12 billion for Free Day Secondary Schools.
While Mr Ogamba has assured that examination fees will be fully covered by the State, school heads remain skeptical. Until funds reach classrooms in the right amounts, many warn that the promise of free basic education hangs by a thread.
