Schools to Close early For 2nd term Half term Break

Schools to Close early For 2nd term Half term Break

Schools across the country are raising concerns over the delayed release of capitation funds, now a month after the start of the second term. This delay threatens to disrupt smooth operations, exacerbated by the late payment of fees by parents.

In junior secondary and primary schools, head teachers report struggles in meeting daily needs and addressing teacher shortages and necessities for the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC). Johnson Nzioka, Chairman of the Kenya Primary Schools Heads Association, highlighted the precarious situation in primary schools, which rely solely on government funding and are not permitted to charge extra fees. Nzioka noted that this issue extends to junior secondary schools based in primary institutions. “We hope that the funding will come before the midterm break, but if we can get the funds sooner, that will go a long way in stabilizing the situation in schools,” he said.

Similarly, Willy Kuria, Chairman of the Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association, indicated that day secondary schools face similar burdens as they depend entirely on capitation for operations. Kuria, also the head of Murang’a High School, pointed out that boarding secondary schools are similarly affected by delays in both government funding and direct fees from parents.

Adding to the challenges is chronic under-funding. According to Kuria, schools did not receive the full amount of capitation funds for the first term. A KESSHA document titled ‘Free Secondary Education Capitation 2024’ reveals that the Ministry of Education released Sh8,319.68 per learner last term, short of the Sh11,000 allocated for the first term, which is 50 percent of the Sh22,244 annual capitation per learner. This leaves a balance of Sh2,802.32 still owing.

This term, schools expect Sh6,673.20, which is 30 percent of the total capitation. Despite the grim situation, Kuria mentioned that talks with the Ministry of Education suggest that funds could be released this week. “Some schools reopened on April 29 and have had their Form Four students in class since then, but we are hopeful that the funds will be released this week,” he said.

The threat of operational paralysis looms as schools prepare for the midterm break, now set for June 26 after the Ministry of Education changed the half-term dates from June 20-23 to June 26-30. This adjustment has complicated matters for some schools, forcing them to implement various strategies to compel parents to pay fees. One school head reported hiring new teachers via the Board of Management to address staffing gaps in the junior secondary wing. Some schools are notifying learners with outstanding fees to go home. “Dear parent, this is a reminder to meet at least 70 percent fees balance for the second term on or before 3/06/2024,” read a message from one school.

Kuria noted that the delays have particularly impacted day schools and special needs schools, which heavily depend on government funding. “Special needs schools have been hardly affected as well because they largely run on government funding,” he said.

Schools to Close early For 2nd term Half term Break