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The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT Kenya) has intensified pressure on the government to release Ksh 64 billion in capitation funds, warning that public primary schools and secondary schools are struggling to operate due to financial constraints. The delayed disbursement has affected teacher payments, learning materials, and extracurricular activities, leaving thousands of students at risk of missing crucial learning time.
KNUT’s Demand for Immediate Disbursement
The KNUT Secretary-General, Collins Oyuu, has condemned the delay, emphasizing that the capitation funds are essential for the smooth running of schools. He pointed out that teachers, headteachers, and deputy headteachers are now forced to manage schools with little or no resources.
According to KNUT Kenya, the capitation funds are critical in:
- Paying non-teaching staff, including security personnel and clerks.
- Purchasing learning materials for both primary and secondary schools.
- Funding extracurricular activities, such as sports and music festivals.
- Supporting school infrastructure and maintenance.
How the Delay is Affecting Schools
With schools struggling to manage operations, headteachers and deputy headteachers are under immense pressure to keep schools running. The roles of a headteacher and the role of a deputy headteacher include managing school funds, ensuring smooth learning activities, and overseeing teacher welfare. However, without timely funding, these duties become increasingly difficult to execute.
Many primary schools have already reported that they are unable to pay non-teaching staff salaries, while some have sent students home early due to financial difficulties. Additionally, headteacher salaries in Kenya are already stretched, making it hard for school administrators to take on additional financial burdens.
Government’s Response to the Delayed Capitation Funds
Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has responded to the concerns raised by KNUT Kenya, explaining that Kenya operates on a cash-based budgeting system. This means that funds cannot be released from a previous financial year until they are allocated in the current budget.
He further stated that the government is working on treasury bonds and treasury bills to finance key sectors, including education. However, he admitted that treasury bonds and bills are facing economic constraints, affecting cash flow to different ministries, including the Treasury of Kenya.
Despite these explanations, KNUT Kenya remains firm in its demand for immediate funding, arguing that the treasury supplier portal should prioritize education funding. The union has challenged the government to consider treasury national policies that ensure schools receive funds on time.
What This Means for Schools and Teachers
Teachers and school administrators are now turning to TSC Kenya and the TSC application portal for updates on how the government plans to resolve this crisis. Many are also monitoring their TSC online payslip accounts for any adjustments related to salaries or funding.
Meanwhile, financial experts have suggested that schools and teachers explore treasury note calculators and investment options such as treasury bonds to manage finances better during funding delays.
As KNUT Kenya continues to push for action, stakeholders are calling for better financial planning to prevent future delays in school funding. All eyes are now on the government to see if it will resolve the crisis before schools are forced to take extreme measures.
Final Thoughts
The ongoing battle over capitation funds highlights a broader issue of financial mismanagement in the education sector. With KNUT Kenya, TSC Kenya, and teachers unions demanding urgent intervention, the question remains: Will the government prioritize education funding before schools shut down?
For more updates on TSC news, TSC recruitment, TSC application portal, treasury bonds, treasury bills, and education funding in Kenya, stay tuned.
