The government has distributed Sh16 billion capitation money for secondary schools ahead of their re-opening next week. Another Sh2 billion will be sent to primary schools countrywide for capitation ahead of the opening dates, according to Education Principal Secretary Dr Julius Jwan.
Head teachers however called for a 28 per cent (28%) increase of the money to meet growing economic demand.
“The government has released Sh16 billion for secondary schools for next term, this is a week before reopening and over Sh2 billion for public primary schools. As schools reopen, there will be circulars explaining how those monies will be used,” Jwan said
Speaking during the ongoing headteachers conference in Mombasa, Jwan cautioned school administrators against misappropriating public funds. Jwan said principals must be held accountable and must explain the use of funds allocated to their schools. “Let us account for the money we have,” said Jwan while noting that the government is targeting to set aside 25 per cent of the country’s total budget for education programs by 2025.
The announcement was however met with mixed reactions from school principals who called for a 28 per cent increase of capitation to meet the growing the rising cost of living due to inflation.
“Infrastructure development cannot be factored in capitation, so the government should rethink this matter. The money is very little compared to the work it is supposed to do,” said the head teachers association boss Kahi Indimuli. The school heads argued that the rising cost of living has adversely affected the running of learning institutions hence the need to increase capitation funds going forward.
“Considering the inflation in our country today, the money set for capitation is very little, there is a need for the Cabinet Secretary to review the capitation to match the rate of inflation,” said Kahi. Jwan, however, said the government is financially constrained to increase capitation to schools. He also cautioned schools heads against raising school fees despite the financial constraints they’re facing at the moment.
What capitation?the money disbursed has never increased since 2003.does the government note the inflation rate.where on earth money sent remains constant but the prices increases day in day out.