The Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (KESSHA) has warned that primary and secondary schools could be forced to close early in term two because of insufficient government funding.
KESSHA national chair Willie Kuria stated that the government failed to release the funding for term two, prompting principals to make tough choices about resource distribution.
Kuria highlighted that schools are facing a severe financial crisis requiring urgent intervention.
He revealed that the government has not disbursed Ksh18.6 billion for the first and second terms of 2025.
Kuria mentioned that only Ksh8,818 has been released instead of the Ksh11,700 needed, leaving a shortfall of Ksh2,304 in the first term.
“For this second term, we have received Ksh3,472, which still leaves a balance of Ksh3,202 per student,” he said.
Under the funding policy, the government allocates Ksh22,144 per student each year.
This amount is paid in three instalments: Ksh11,122 in the first term, Ksh6,673 in the second, and Ksh4,439 in the third.
Why Second term Might End Early
He explained that the second term has experienced unprecedented delays, making it the worst in four years.
Kuria stated that school heads may not be able to keep students in school until the term concludes.
He added that students might be released early if the government fails to remit the remaining funds.
“We are even not sure if we will be able to keep the students in school until the set closing date. We might be forced to release them earlier if we don’t receive [more] money from the government,” Kuria said.
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Kuria explained that part of the Ksh22,144 capitation allocated per student annually is retained by the Ministry of Education, with another portion allocated for infrastructure.
According to Kuria, school heads are left with only Ksh10,000 for managing daily operations.
“This amount is the same as the capitation set back in 2008, almost 20 years ago, and back then the cost of living was considerably lower,” he lamented.
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Govt Owes Schools Ksh7.6 billion
KESSHA secretary general Abdinoor Haji stated that the government still owes schools Ksh7.6 billion for the first term and Ksh10.6 billion for the second term.
Haji added that schools are struggling to feed students, pay suppliers, and settle their teachers’ salaries.
“Principals are now playing hide-and-seek with suppliers because they owe them a lot of money. Some schools have been compelled to lay off board of management teachers because there is insufficient money to pay them,” Haji said.
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KESSHA National Chairperson Willie Kuria. PHOTO/Education News.
