The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) has raised alarm over the ongoing financial crisis in public schools and demanded that the National Treasury urgently release the second-term capitation funds.
According to KNUT National Chairman Patrick Karinga, learning has stalled in most public schools due to a biting cash crunch, leaving principals without funds to run institutions. As a result, schools have been forced to send learners home for mid-term break a week earlier than scheduled.”Principals are being blamed for not delivering the curriculum, yet they have no resources to operate. The situation is unbearable,” Karinga said during a press briefing.
The KNUT boss warned that strained relationships between school administrations and suppliers, non-teaching staff, and BOM teachers are deepening due to unpaid bills and salaries. He added that delayed fee payments from parents have worsened the situation.
Karinga revealed that schools only received a small fraction of the 50 percent capitation meant for the first term, pushing institutions into heavy debt. “It is shocking. The money that came was just a few coins. Now schools cannot buy learning materials, feed students, or run co-curricular activities,” he said.
He further disclosed that the Kenya Secondary School Heads Association has reported numerous complaints from principals across the country, who face mounting pressure from creditors. Many are demoralized, and some are considering resigning due to the financial burden.
Despite reports from the Ministry of Education that funds have been disbursed, many school heads have found empty accounts when they visit banks. “Some leave the banks frustrated and embarrassed after promising suppliers they would settle debts,” Karinga lamented.
KNUT now warns that if no action is taken, headteachers may be forced to shut down schools entirely. “You can’t keep students in school without food or learning materials. We urge the government to release capitation immediately to save the education sector,” he said.
Karinga also urged the ministry to support school heads who have been compelled to issue certificates to students despite outstanding fee balances, calling for policy clarity and financial compensation for affected schools.