Schools across the country have reopened for the third and final term of the 2026 academic year, with President William Ruto announcing that Sh18 billion has been released in capitation funds.
The nine-week term started on Monday, August 24, and will run until October 23. National examinations and assessments will follow after the term ends.
Ruto said the Sh18 billion had been released to support schools as learners return to class.
“Children are going back to school. Previously, the money was delayed. We sent Sh18 billion to schools for the third term. Those claiming that schools have debts are outdated. The money is in schools,” the President said.
The announcement comes as schools resume with administrators expected to meet various expenses, including food, learning materials, utilities and other operational costs.
However, education stakeholders have raised concerns over the amount of capitation received by schools so far this year.
The Kenya Secondary School Heads Association says schools have received about Sh16,456.60 per learner against the expected Sh22,244, leaving a shortfall of about Sh5,787.40 per learner.
KUPPET has also disputed the government’s position, saying some schools are still struggling with accumulated debts and inadequate funding.
The union has warned that the funding situation could force parents to shoulder more of the cost of educating their children.
The latest dispute comes as schools enter their busiest term, with candidates preparing for national assessments and examinations scheduled to begin after the third term.
The Ministry of Education has maintained that the reopening date remains August 24 and dismissed reports that the term had been postponed.
The ministry has also directed education officials across the country to ensure schools comply with the approved academic calendar.
As learners settle back into classrooms, attention will now turn to whether the Sh18 billion announced by the President reaches schools in time and whether it will ease the financial pressure facing school administrators.
For parents, the focus will also be on whether the promised government funding will help reduce the additional costs they have increasingly been asked to meet.