Secondary schools could be headed for financial crises as they open doors to 1.4 million learners joining Form One.

Some 1.2 million learners will also join Junior Secondary School (JSS) as they transit from primary school under the Competency-Based Curriculum.

It has been established that schools are yet to receive the capitation funds, a week after reopening.

A section of principals have indicated that they had not received the funds by close of business on Friday despite reassurance from the ministry when schools reopened.

Read also:

Confusion in JSS Over Textbooks For Newly Integrated Subjects

Prof Patrick Verkooijen Biography: Age, Education, Career, Relationship and Networth

KCSE 2023 Results/ Grade Analysis Per School

Updated: List Of January 2024 Transferred School Heads Per County

Heads Petitions Parliament to Intervene on Capitation

How to Change 2024 Form One Placement To A Desirable School

“We want to assure our schools that the funds have been released. It is a process because of systems, the funds will be in the accounts by Wednesday or Friday latest,” PS Bellio Kipsang said last Monday during the release of KCSE results at Moi Girls School, Eldoret.

The ministry in early January had indicated that Sh31 billion had been set aside for capitation to schools.

Out of the total funds, Sh4.74 billion will go towards Free Primary Education with Sh7.60 billion being capitation for JSSs for term one.

Some Sh2.80 billion is meant for school examination and invigilation fees while Sh16.20 has been factored in for Free Day Secondary School.

Attempt to reach the new Kenya Secondary School Heads Association leadership for a comment on the delay was futile as the chairman did not respond to calls.

The delay in capitation disbursement could now cause anxiety and operational crisis with Form One admission is expected to push the population of learners in secondary school to about 3.8 million.

Parents also want the ministry to make a pronouncement on the issue of extra levies.

National Parents Association chair Silas Obuhatsa urged the Teachers Service Commission to take action against schools that violate fees guidelines.

Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers Secretary General Akello Misori called on the government to deploy extra teachers to schools ahead of the admission.

Misori noted that the government had committed to employ 116,000 teachers but the target is still far off.

The Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) has appealed to the government to increase capitation funds for primary and secondary schools.

In a proposal to the Education Ministry, the union wants capitation for Free Primary Education reviewed from Sh1,420 to Sh4,000.

The presidential working party had proposed the figure to be reviewed to Sh2,237, which the union says is still low.

For Junior Secondary School, Knut is proposing review of capitation to Sh22,000 up from Sh15,547 set by the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms.

For senior secondary, the union wants the monies reviewed from the current allocation of Sh22,244 to Sh35,000.

The union has also expressed confidence over the start of Junior School one year on.

This is an upward revision to the proposal of Sh1,170 given by the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms through county governments.

Read also:

Government Releases Ksh. 3.9 University Scholarships

JSS Moguls Threaten Never to Renew Internship Contracts

Training of New JSS Recruits by CEMASTEA to Begin on 13th December-See Payments

You are a Let Down to Teachers, Legislators Tell KNUT

The proposal comes as the union today (Monday) commences the 63rd annual delegates conference set to run for three days to December 6.

Knut has also called on the government to ignore the debate seeking migration of the JSS from primary schools to secondary schools.

During the NEC meeting on Sunday Knut Secretary Union Collins Oyuu said they want primary school head teachers to run the comprehensive school – pre-primary, primary and JSS.

“It is an insult to think that primary school teachers are not able to teach and run JSS,” Oyuu said.

The proposal, to migrate JSS, was fronted by the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers arguing that the primary schools lack the capacity to support the junior school level.

But Knut has dismissed the proposal as mere union politics and instead wants the JSS rollout to continue as planned.

“With approximately 23,000 primary schools compared to a significantly lower number of 8,000 secondary schools, it is clear that the primary schools can ensure better access to education,” Oyuu said.

Addressing concerns on the capacity of primary school teachers to handle JSS, the union said there considerable number of qualified educators equipped with diplomas, degrees, and postgraduate qualifications capable of handling JSS education.

They warned Kuppet against undermining the teachers’ capabilities to teach JSS, given their comprehensive training and retooling.

“The decision to house JSS under Comprehensive School was backed by comprehensive research conducted by educational and economic experts,” he said

On the plight of intern teachers whose contracts are nearing expiration by the end of the year, the union said there was no formal communication on the matter.

He appealed to the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to confirm the over 56,000 interns to permanent and pensionable terms.

TSC had in November revealed to parliament that it intends to extend the contract of intern teachers by a further one month and then confirm them to permanent and pensionable terms in 2025.