Kenyan Schools’ Capitation Funding Petition

Kenyan Schools’ Capitation Funding Petition

Kenyan Schools’ Capitation Funding Petition. Secondary school heads are urging Members of Parliament to compel the government to release student capitation for the current fiscal year at the agreed rate of Sh22,244 per learner. In accordance with the Kenya Secondary Schools Association’s petition, the association also seeks parliamentary intervention to address the Sh54.2 billion 2019 shortfall from the National Treasury. National Chairman Indimuli Kahi emphasized that releasing the deficit would enable schools to settle outstanding invoices.

In a letter to the House, National Assembly Speaker Moses conveyed that the petitioner explained the progression of the student rate, rising from Sh10,625 in 2008 to Sh12,870 in 2015, and reaching Sh22,244 in 2018. The petition highlighted concerns about the persistent lag in the government’s subsidy for the Free Day Secondary Programme in comparison to actual enrollment, despite an increase in capitation per learner.

The petitioner flagged issues such as challenges in obtaining birth certificates, hindering students from being included on the NEMIS platform used by the Ministry of Education for capitation distribution. Moreover, the petition mentioned a partial distribution of approved budgetary capitation since 2018.

Senator Wetang’ula referred the petition to the Public Petitions Committee for review. Consequently, the committee expressed appreciation to the government for providing capitation per learner under the Free Day Secondary Education program since 2008. They acknowledged its positive impact on completion, retention, and access rates in public secondary schools nationwide. Over 10,000 head teachers are part of this collective effort to address funding challenges.