NAIROBI, Kenya – The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has urged heightened vigilance on school transport safety as learners begin their August holiday break, warning of increased risks during this period of mass travel.
In a notice issued on Monday, NTSA called on transport operators, parents, and school administrators to enforce safety measures, particularly on speed limits, roadworthiness of school buses, and safe pick-up and drop-off points.
“As schools begin to close, let’s prioritise children’s safety during school transport,” the Authority said.
Parents were advised to supervise children crossing roads and ensure they only board authorised school vehicles.
The second-term break runs from August 4 to August 22, with learners set to resume for third term on August 25.
This term will be especially critical for candidates preparing for national assessments.
According to the Ministry of Education calendar, the KPSEA and KILEA assessments will be conducted between October 27 and 31, while the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams will follow in November.
Crisis Looms Over Capitation Shortfall
However, the closure comes as the public education sector teeters on the brink of collapse due to persistent underfunding and growing debts.
The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has revealed that the government is yet to release over Sh18 billion in capitation funds for the first and second terms of 2025 — leaving a funding gap of about Sh6,000 per student.
Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi recently admitted that the current funding model is “unsustainable,” but education stakeholders say acknowledgement alone is not enough.
“Some schools are literally surviving on donations,” said KUPPET Secretary General Akello Misori. “And we are now seeing credible threats of auction from suppliers due to unpaid debts.”
Former KESSHA chair Kahi Indimuli said a petition was tabled warning of Sh68 billion in unpaid arrears dating back to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The situation is reportedly dire in rural schools, where headteachers have resorted to taking personal loans through Mwalimu Sacco to keep schools running. Some are dependent on food and learning material donations from well-wishers.
The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) has called on Parliament to urgently block any further budget cuts and approve emergency disbursements to ease the crisis.
As children head home for the August break, NTSA’s safety alert is a reminder of the immediate risks, while the education sector faces a larger, systemic threat that could disrupt learning for millions — unless swift action is taken.
