With mounting debts and insufficient government capitation, many schools across the country are struggling to make ends meet, raising concerns about their ability to adequately prepare for the critical exams. The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has scheduled the KCSE rehearsal for October 18.
Speaking on behalf of school administrators, KESSHA Chairperson Willie Kuria expressed serious concerns regarding schools’ inability to purchase essential laboratory equipment and materials needed for the exams. He warned that the rising debt burden has put many institutions in a precarious position.
A school head from Machakos County noted that suppliers are increasingly hesitant to provide materials, including those necessary for the exams, due to schools’ outstanding balances. “This is a major issue that could compromise the delivery of services, especially during this crucial period,” he said.
Many secondary schools have yet to receive their full allocation of third-term government funding. Schools were supposed to receive Sh22,224 per student this term, but only Sh15,192 has been disbursed to date. Out of this amount, Sh3,850 was earmarked for infrastructure development, leaving schools with less than half of what they need for tuition, operational costs, and staff salaries.
The shortfall has serious consequences. Many schools are struggling to cover basic costs, such as paying electricity bills and maintaining recurrent expenditures. “Some institutions have even found it difficult to pay staff, further exacerbating the financial pressure,” one administrator lamented.
Kuria emphasized that the capitation that was once nearly sufficient has now been stretched thin due to additional infrastructure demands. He argued, “The infrastructure fund should not be drawn from the capitation budget. Instead, it should come from the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and the Ministry of Education’s Transition Infrastructure Grant.” He stressed that these funds are critical to maintaining schools’ financial health and ensuring they remain operational during the examination period.
With national exams fast approaching, the financial woes of secondary schools have put pressure on the Ministry of Education to respond quickly and ensure that schools receive the remaining capitation funds. The situation has turned into a race against time as school heads brace for further disruptions if the government does not act swiftly.
