Public secondary schools across Kenya are facing a deepening crisis due to delays in the disbursement of capitation funds, forcing many to scale down services and suspend crucial learning activities.
The most affected institutions are day secondary schools, which cater to over 70 per cent of students and rely heavily on government funding through the Free Day Secondary Education (FDSE) programme.
With essential resources depleted and non-teaching staff and suppliers going unpaid, principals have raised the alarm over the deteriorating situation.
Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (KSSHA) National Chairperson, Willie Kuria, has disclosed that the government still owes schools approximately Sh2,300 per student from the first term. This amount represents a portion of the annual capitation of Sh22,244 per learner, which is strictly designated for tuition.
“There is no money in schools. We have entered the third week of term two and there are difficulties in schools because this is affecting the quality of learning. We are limiting everything and it’s not fair.
He further highlighted that day schools are struggling to meet basic operational needs. “They are not able to pay salaries, conduct laboratory and technical lessons and could not do opener exams because they do not have anything. Some teachers have to buy their own chalk to go to class.”
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Schools in rural and marginalised regions have reportedly been unable to print or conduct assessments, with some issuing incomplete test papers due to lack of printing materials. Mr Kuria said expectations had been high that the funds would be released before the start of the term, but that has not materialised.
Although sources indicate that the National Treasury has released the money, the funds are yet to be disbursed by the Ministry of Education.
Mr Kuria noted that participation in co-curricular activities has also been severely affected. “We are forced to limit participation in co-curricular events, and even when it comes to science practicals, we can’t afford the materials. Everything is affected,” he said. Parents have had to step in, with some providing stationery and exercise books, but he warned that this approach is unsustainable.
Term two, being the longest in the academic calendar, usually involves numerous co-curricular activities and mock KCSE exams. However, the ongoing funding crisis has placed these at risk.
In hardship and arid areas, the situation is reportedly worse. According to Wangonya Wangenye, the national secretary of the Kenya Teachers in Hardship and Arid Areas Welfare Association, prolonged dry spells and insecurity have exacerbated food shortages and inflated prices.
“In areas such as West Pokot, Kapedo and Baragoi in Samburu County, food prices are exorbitant due to persistent banditry. A principal informed us that business people ferrying supplies must be escorted by police to access the schools, a cost that is ultimately passed on to the schools,” said Mr Wangenye.
He added that in counties like Marsabit and Isiolo, schools are struggling to obtain basic learning materials. “In these areas, both teachers and students are going without food and there are no learning materials due to lack of funds. Curriculum delivery is severely compromised.”
Some institutions have resorted to operating for only half a day, and morale among staff and learners is at an all-time low. The situation is further threatened by the potential withdrawal of hardship allowances for teachers in affected regions.
Mr Wangenye called on the Ministry of Education to intervene urgently to prevent the collapse of schools, especially in the most vulnerable regions.
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