ELDORET, Kenya – The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has warned that schools could shut down by midterm if the government fails to release capitation funds urgently.
Speaking in Eldoret, KUPPET national chairman Omboko Milemba said schools are struggling to stay afloat barely a week after reopening for the third term, which is already packed with national examinations and other activities.
“Last term, schools were forced to close earlier because capitation was not released in time. Now, a week after opening, we still don’t have the funds. This is the shortest but busiest term, so we cannot allow lack of funding to disrupt learning again,” Milemba said, calling on Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi to release the money “as early as Monday next week.”
Milemba cautioned that if funds are not disbursed, schools will have no choice but to shut their doors when learners break for midterm.
The teachers’ union also raised concerns over alleged theft of billions of shillings from the teachers’ health insurance scheme under the Social Health Authority (SHA).
KUPPET issued a 21-day ultimatum to the government to arrest those implicated in the scandal or risk teachers boycotting remittances to the medical cover.
“We cannot keep remitting money while billions are siphoned off. The minister must identify and prosecute the culprits immediately,” Milemba said.
Parents and education stakeholders have expressed concern over the delay in capitation, fearing a repeat of the second term, which was cut short prematurely due to funding shortfalls.
Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang confirmed that the matter is under discussion with the Treasury.
“We had a meeting last week with Treasury officials, including the CS and PS, and agreed that the top priority this week is disbursement to schools,” Dr Kipsang said.
Treasury CS Mbadi has since pledged to release KSh 23 billion to more than 45,000 schools nationwide to avert a financial crisis and ensure uninterrupted learning.
