Govt releases Ksh2,403 per JSS student for third term

Govt releases Ksh2,403 per JSS student for third term

The government has announced the allocation of Free Day Junior School Education (FDJSE) funds for Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) for the third term.

In a memo dated September 2, 2024, and signed by Basic Education Principal Secretary Dr. Belio Kipsang, every JSS student will receive Ksh2,403.61, while schools will receive a basic allocation of Ksh74,793.20. The allocation is for both Operation and Tuition accounts, with the data used for distribution being derived from the NEMIS system as of August 6, 2024.

For the Operation account, Ksh43,316 is designated for personal emoluments, Ksh17,919 for BOM meetings, capacity building, postage, and telephone charges, Ksh7,350 for internet, and Ksh2,352 for electricity, water, and conservancy. The Tuition account is allocated Ksh3,856.20, bringing the total school allocation to Ksh74,793.20.

Per student, the vote heads for the Operation account include local transport (Ksh160), co-curricular activities (Ksh140), administrative costs (Ksh130), and medical insurance (Ksh90). For the Tuition account, allocations include Ksh400 for stationery, Ksh366.80 for textbooks, Ksh240 for CBC practicals, Ksh126.81 for assessments, Ksh90 for lab materials, and Ksh90 for capacity building, totaling Ksh2,403.61.

Dr. Kipsang instructed schools with Grade 8 students to prioritize the purchase of desks and chairs for Grade 9 using a portion of the RMI vote head. County Directors of Education are required to ensure that school heads acknowledge the receipt of funds with official receipts for both tuition and operation accounts.

All payments from the tuition account must be made by cheque and used exclusively for teaching and learning materials, while the operation account will handle all other government subsidies. Schools are also required to have students sign lists with their admission numbers and names, which will be attached to payment vouchers and kept as part of the records.

For schools that were left out of the initial allocation due to discrepancies in data, funds will be provided once accurate information is submitted and verified. Head teachers of these schools are required to write to Dr. Kipsang’s office with the correct UIC, account details, and enrolment numbers.

School Boards of Management (BoMs) are responsible for ensuring the proper use of funds, in accordance with the financial regulations set out in the updated Handbook on Financial Management for Public Schools. Schools have also been instructed not to charge additional fees or levies, including for lunch programs, and school heads will be held accountable for the use of funds as the Accounting Officers of their schools.

Govt releases Ksh2,403 per JSS student for third term