Over 2,000 Special Schools Face Closure Over Delayed Capitation Funds

More than 2,000 special needs schools across the country are on the brink of closure within the next two weeks due to delayed disbursement of capitation funds, the Special Schools Association of Kenya has warned.

The association has raised alarm over what it calls a looming crisis in the education sector, particularly affecting learners with disabilities who rely on specialized care and tailored learning environments. The delay by the Ministry of Education in releasing the funds has already disrupted operations in many institutions.

Speaking during a press briefing, the Association’s Secretary General James Torome said the situation has triggered widespread anxiety among teachers, learners, and caregivers in the special needs education sector.“

These children require specialised attention, care, and resources. The delay in funding is not just an inconvenience—it’s a direct threat to their education and well-being,” said Torome. “Budget cuts and delayed capitation will hurt an already under-resourced sector.”

The Association’s National Chairman Peter Sitene echoed these sentiments, revealing that many schools have been unable to pay non-teaching staff and suppliers. As a result, essential services such as meals, sanitation, and transport are already being affected, with several suppliers halting operations due to non-payment.“Some of our schools are surviving on credit, and even that is running out,” said Sitene. “Support staff are going unpaid, yet they play a vital role in supporting children with disabilities. The situation is untenable.”

While the association welcomed the inclusion of special needs learners in bursary programs, they emphasized that this is not enough to sustain operations. They are now urging the Ministry of Education to release capitation funds as a matter of urgency to avert a full-blown educational crisis.“This is a matter of dignity and rights for learners with disabilities,” Torome stressed. “We are calling on the government to act now. Any further delay could shut down institutions that are lifelines for thousands of vulnerable children.”

The association has warned that if no action is taken in the coming days, schools may be forced to send learners home, further widening the education gap for children living with disabilities in Kenya.