Officials from the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) at a press conference.
The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has issued a strong warning that schools across the country may be forced to close early if the government fails to release the much-needed capitation funds for the third term. With delayed allocations now becoming a persistent issue in Kenya’s education sector, teachers argue that the disruption is placing immense pressure on principals, learners, and parents, threatening the stability of the school calendar.
KUPPET National Chairperson Omboko Milemba raised the alarm on Sunday, August 31, insisting that the Treasury must release the funds by September 1. Failure to do so, he warned, could lead to a nationwide shutdown of secondary schools even before the mid-term break. This development comes against a backdrop of continued unrest in the education sector, with teachers increasingly frustrated by what they see as chronic underfunding and poor planning by government agencies.
Delayed Funds Crippling Schools
According to KUPPET, the delayed disbursement of funds has left school heads struggling to run institutions smoothly. Without timely financial support, schools are unable to pay suppliers, settle utility bills, or provide essential learning materials. In turn, this directly undermines the quality of education that learners receive.
“In the first term, some schools closed earlier because there was no money in the schools. We are insisting that the government has a responsibility to release the money to schools so that learners can get quality education,” said Milemba during the press briefing.
He further cautioned that unless the Treasury acted swiftly, school heads would be left with no option but to send learners home prematurely. “If there is no money by mid-term, then we shall be asking the principals to close the schools,” he declared.
This warning echoes similar concerns raised earlier this year by both the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) and KUPPET about inadequate funding and resource allocation. In fact, teachers have repeatedly voiced their frustrations over what they call “systemic neglect” of the education sector.
Demand to Increase Capitation Funds
KUPPET is not only demanding timely disbursement but also calling for an increase in the amount of capitation per student. Currently, each student is allocated Ksh16,900 annually, down from the previous Ksh22,200. According to the union, this reduction has severely impacted learning conditions, as schools struggle to cover essential costs such as infrastructure, teaching materials, and administrative expenses.
“We, as a union, are demanding that by Monday, the government should release the capitation. The capitation was reduced from Ksh22,200 per student to Ksh16,900, but we would like the government to increase it back to where it was,” another KUPPET official stated.
With inflation and rising operational costs, school heads argue that the current allocation is far from adequate. Many principals have resorted to asking parents for additional contributions, which has fueled dissatisfaction among families already grappling with high living costs.
Treasury’s Response and Funding Gaps
Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi recently announced that Ksh23 billion would be released to schools and additional funds allocated to the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB). Speaking on August 25, Mbadi confirmed that Ksh17 billion would go directly to schools, with Ksh5.9 billion earmarked for examinations, while HELB would also receive additional allocations.
Mbadi admitted that funding gaps have persisted for years, acknowledging that the government has struggled to adequately fund schools under the Free Day Secondary Education (FDSE) program. He revealed that discussions had been held with the Ministry of Education and other stakeholders under the directive of President William Ruto to explore long-term solutions.
“We have not been giving money for capitation for seven years, and I have no apologies to make. We have sat with the PSs for Education and also the CS to look at that gap under the instruction of the President, and we have seen the gap,” Mbadi said.
Despite the assurance, uncertainty lingers over whether the disbursements will reach schools in time. Past delays have often left principals scrambling to keep institutions afloat, forcing some schools to close earlier than scheduled.
What This Means for Schools and Learners
If the funds are not released by the September 1 deadline, many schools risk being paralyzed by financial constraints. The immediate impact would be felt in the quality of services offered, with schools unable to provide meals, teaching materials, and other essentials. In the long run, the education calendar could face serious disruptions, undermining the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) rollout and exam preparations.
This situation is particularly dire given that teachers are also navigating other challenges. For instance, TSC recently announced that new recruitment guidelines would bar certain degrees from registration, a move that has already rattled education graduates. Moreover, the ongoing digital transformation at TSC—including the new online teacher transfer system—has shown that reforms are reshaping the profession at all levels.
With so many policy shifts, delayed capitation only deepens the sense of instability among teachers, learners, and parents.
Linking Capitation to CBC Implementation
The government has placed heavy emphasis on the Competency-Based Curriculum, which requires more resources for classrooms, labs, and teacher training. Yet, as the CBC recruitment checklist shows, the rollout demands extensive documentation, infrastructure, and personnel. Without adequate and timely capitation funds, many schools are unable to meet these requirements, risking uneven implementation of CBC across the country.
Stakeholders warn that while curriculum reforms are important, they cannot succeed without stable funding. Teachers argue that the government’s priorities seem misaligned when schools lack even the basics to keep learners in class.
KUPPET’s Position and the Road Ahead
KUPPET insists that the government must act decisively, not only to release funds on time but also to restore the capitation to previous levels. The union has hinted at possible industrial action if the Treasury fails to comply, emphasizing that teachers cannot be expected to deliver quality education without the necessary resources.
For now, all eyes remain on the government’s response as schools brace for the possibility of early closure. With exam season approaching and CBC implementation still underway, the education sector cannot afford another wave of instability.
Parents, learners, and teachers are anxiously waiting for clarity, hoping that this warning by KUPPET will push the Treasury to act swiftly. If not, Kenya risks plunging into another education crisis—one that could affect thousands of students and jeopardize academic progress nationwide.
