Heads of Schools have been pushing for the Ministry of Education over the delay of the release of the capitation of funds.
The Cabinet Secretary for Education Prof George Magoha has revealed that schools will have received capitation funds by Friday this week.
He explained that the delay in the release of capitation funds was caused by the disruption of the school academic calendar.
The academic calendar was re-adjusted following the government’s closure of all learning institutions for several months starting March 2020 to curb the spread of the novel Covid-19 virus.
“President Uhuru and my Ministry will work extra hard to ensure that we have released funds on time,” said Prof Magoha.
Magoha was responding to headteachers’ concerns which had threatened to derail operations in schools with the second term starting today, Tuesday, July 12, 2022.
Schools were supposed to reopen on Monday but the following Monday is declared a holiday, so the reopening date for the second term was pushed to today. Muslims celebrated Idd-ul-Adha leading to the Cabinet Secretary for Interior Dr. Fred Matiangi declaring Monday a holiday.
Headteachers complained of a severe cash shortage caused by late disbursement of funds with some considering raising school fees in order to address the potential fees shortage.
On his part, CS Magoha blamed the readjusted academic calendar for the late disbursement of funds which could affect the capitation program.
CS Magoha was at Kisii town, at Kereri Girls where he launched the Junior Secondary school classrooms phase two where he warned school heads not to send learners home for school fees.
“The price of basic commodities has increased and this affects all of us, even at the family level,” said Magoha.
He implored school administrators to use all available resources to keep all students in school.
“We have the school feeding program in day schools, let us support those who are critical cases in school. We must admit the students to school and give parents an opportunity to pay school fees.
“Those of us who have already cleared paying fees for our children have gone an extra mile to pay fees for other needy cases, which is a welcome move,” added Magoha.
Magoha revealed that the upcoming General Elections should not be a reason to disrupt school activities. He called on political leaders to avoid engaging in activities that could destabilize schools.