The Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (KESSHA) has outlined the challenges in capitation, including the budget shortfall that schools often face. This financial difficulty restricts their ability to provide quality education.
The operational crisis in schools has continued to pose a risk to the implementation of education programs, with the relevant authorities being urged to make immediate interventions.
“The persistent funding gap in education has led to various challenges for schools, from outdated resources and inadequate staff to mounting pending bills,” said Willie Kuria, National Chairman of KESSHA, as he presented a report addressing the challenges of capitation.
KESSHA reported that there is limited funding, which has resulted in resource constraints, making it difficult for schools to maintain essential facilities and provide the necessary teaching and learning materials for students.
They noted that financial difficulties have forced schools to lay off BoM (Board of Management) employed teachers, which has, in turn, increased class sizes and reduced the quality of education.
The report also highlighted that secondary schools, especially day secondary schools, have struggled to keep up with the latest technology, making it difficult for students to access modern learning tools. Furthermore, inadequate funding has resulted in overcrowded classrooms, making it challenging for teachers to provide individualized attention, as espoused in the national goals for education.
Schools have found it challenging to invest in teachers’ professional development through workshops and seminars, which has impacted the quality of instruction given.
Financial disparities have contributed to wider achievement gaps, perpetuating inequality in education. “This is especially evident in day secondary schools, which rely wholly on capitation funds,” they said.
The school heads stated that inadequate compensation and resources have made it difficult for schools to retain experienced and talented BoM-employed teachers. They also mentioned that financial challenges have made it harder for schools to engage parents and the community in the education process.
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“Parents avoid involvement as they believe they will be asked to contribute financial resources,” they added.
They emphasized that underfunded schools in low-income areas, especially in informal settlements, face greater financial difficulties, exacerbating educational disparities.
“Budget constraints have led to reduced support services and counseling, affecting students’ emotional well-being. Schools are also unable to provide learning support programs for students who require the periodic intervention of professional counselors and mental health experts,” they explained.
The school heads also added that schools have struggled to offer a broader curriculum due to financial constraints, which has limited students’ career choices. Many schools have opted to remain conservative in the range of subjects they can offer.
Funding shortfalls have limited access to sports, arts, modern agriculture, and clubs that enrich students’ educational experiences and provide avenues for careers in those areas.
However, they acknowledged that insufficient resources have made it harder for schools to meet national academic standards for teaching, learning, and assessments.
By Felix Wanderi.
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