Secondary school principals from various regions have expressed their frustration over the continued reduction in capitation funding from the Ministry of Education.
The insufficient funds available for co-curricular activities are adding to the difficulties faced by school leaders, who are struggling to ensure their schools achieve their vision and mission.
A survey conducted by Education News across five regions of the country revealed that many secondary schools are likely to miss out on the first term’s circuit of co-curricular activities due to a lack of sufficient funding.
“Secondary schools were allocated Ksh 236 per student in the first term’s disbursement. Out of this, Ksh 100 per student is to be sent to sub-county and Ksh 100 per student to the county for activities. At the school level, we are left with Ksh 36 per student to run co-curricular activities. What magic can we apply as principals?” asked a frustrated principal from West Pokot County.
Education News has learned that principals in regions such as Rift Valley, Western, Coast, and Nyanza are struggling to fund their teams. Some are even pleading with their games teachers and coaches to ease the pressure by reducing the number of events or cutting some activities entirely.
They have called on games officials and their respective sub-county and county offices to be more considerate when budgeting and determining the amount of funding allocated to their offices. They argue that if this trend continues, little attention or resources will be directed to co-curricular activities, which are critical for students to showcase their talents.
READ ALSO:
MoE to hold county-based dialogues on competency-based education next week
In several counties, principals have vowed to defy directives from county and sub-county offices regarding the remittance of co-curricular funds.
They are calling for wider consultations to prevent schools from being starved of the necessary resources for co-curricular activities. Currently, school heads are also grappling with debts owed to suppliers and salary arrears for their staff.
“If things continue this way, the pressure will overwhelm us,” said one newly-appointed principal from the Coast.
The cash-strapped government is working on finding solutions to ensure smooth funding for public school operations across the country. Capitation funds for schools have been flowing in irregular installments without a clear structure.
It is reported that schools are currently owed nearly Ksh 64 billion in pending capitation funds. Concerned by the situation, the Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (KESSHA) is now advocating for higher school fees to help address the growing financial burdens.
The Ministry of Education has assured that the capitation issues will be resolved soon.
By Kaptich Tarus
You can also follow our social media pages on Twitter: Education News KE and Facebook: Education News Newspaper for timely updates.
>>> Click here to stay up-to-date with trending regional stories
>>> Click here to read more informed opinions on the country’s education landscape
>>> Click here to stay ahead with the latest national news.
