The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has threatened to disrupt learning across the country if the government fails to release school capitation funds by Monday, September 1.
Speaking during a press briefing on Sunday, August 31, KUPPET Chairperson Omboko Milemba expressed concern over repeated delays in the disbursement of capitation, which he said has severely affected school management and deprived learners of quality education.
“In the first term, some schools closed earlier because there was no money. The government must release the funds to ensure learners get quality education,” Milemba said. He warned that if the capitation is not disbursed by midterm, school principals may be compelled to close institutions, a move that would further disrupt learning.
KUPPET has also called for an increase in school capitation to the previous rate of Ksh22,200 per student, citing the reduction to Ksh16,900 as insufficient to meet the operational needs of schools. “Teachers, principals, and learners are all suffering. We are demanding that by Monday, the government release the funds and restore capitation to the recommended level,” a union official said.
The union’s warning comes days after Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi assured the public that the government would release capitation funds to the Ministry of Education on Tuesday, August 26, to prevent school disruptions. Mbadi said the Treasury would disburse Ksh23 billion to schools and additional resources to the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB).
Speaking on Monday, August 25, Mbadi acknowledged that capitation funds had not been adequately allocated for the past seven years. He emphasized that the government, under the president’s instructions, is mobilizing additional resources to bridge the funding gap. “We want to ensure that children can attend school and that more funds are available to HELB. Tomorrow, we are releasing Ksh17 billion for schools and Ksh5.9 billion for examinations,” Mbadi stated.
The escalating tension highlights the critical role of timely funding in Kenya’s education system. With KUPPET insisting on immediate action, the coming week could determine whether learning continues uninterrupted or faces another costly disruption.
