A looming education crisis is unfolding in Kenya as secondary school heads warn of a potential nationwide shutdown due to chronic delays in government capitation disbursements. The Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (KESSHA) has raised the alarm, revealing that many institutions are struggling to keep their doors open during the second term.
GOVERNMENT FUNDING SHORTFALL STRAINS PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Speaking on Monday, July 15, KESSHA Secretary General Abdi Noor disclosed that schools have been forced into desperate financial positions, with many unable to pay suppliers or retain essential teaching staff.
“Most principals are dodging suppliers due to lack of funds. Some have already laid off qualified Board of Management teachers, which is directly affecting the quality of education,” said Noor.
Under the current policy, the government is required to allocate Ksh22,144 per student annually, split into three tranches—Ksh11,122 in Term 1, Ksh6,673 in Term 2, and Ksh4,439 in Term 3. However, KESSHA reports that only Ksh8,818 was disbursed for Term 1, and Ksh3,471 for Term 2, leaving a combined deficit of Ksh5,506 per student.
SCHOOLS OWE SUPPLIERS BILLIONS
According to Noor, the cumulative amount owed to schools by the government now stands at Ksh18.2 billion—Ksh7.6 billion for Term 1 and Ksh10.6 billion for Term 2. This massive funding gap has left institutions barely operational, raising concerns that learning may grind to a halt unless urgent action is taken.
“If these disbursements aren’t made soon, schools won’t survive the term. The burden is too heavy,” Noor warned.
KESSHA PROPOSES COST-SHARING AND FUNDING REFORMS
In light of the crisis, KESSHA is urging the government to revamp the capitation model, proposing a return to cost-sharing, where parents contribute part of the funds to supplement government support.
“When parents used to share costs with the government, schools were more stable. We must reintroduce this model if we want consistency in education,” Noor stated.
KESSHA is also suggesting that Members of Parliament allocate part of their NG-CDF budgets to schools facing deficits, as a stop-gap measure to keep institutions functional while awaiting full funding.
FUNDING WOES EXACERBATED BY INFLATION
Rising inflation has made the current capitation model unsustainable. School heads argue that the outdated funding formula no longer reflects current economic realities, making it difficult to meet operational costs.
“From food prices to teaching resources, everything has gone up—but capitation remains unchanged. This needs urgent policy review,” Noor emphasized.
MINISTRY YET TO RESPOND
While the Ministry of Education, under CS Julius Ogamba, has remained silent on the escalating crisis, pressure continues to mount from school administrators, teachers, and parents demanding a solution.
“We’re not just calling for money—we’re calling for accountability and a realistic funding framework that ensures learners aren’t denied their right to education,” said one principal anonymously.
