Sh14b schools capitation to be released next week, says Ogamba

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has told secondary school heads not to send home students with fee arrears following the delay of capitation funds.

Ogamba admitted that Sh14 billion was yet to be released, and promised the balance would be wired to school bank accounts next week.

“We have talked to our school heads not to send the students home because it is not the parents who pay the school fees; it is the government through capitation that is paying,” he said.

Principals have threatened to send students away if the ministry delays release of the money, claiming it had become difficult to run the learning institutions without cash.

Teachers are struggling to keep the students in school amid mounting unpaid salaries, utilities and suppliers bills. Some schools are even cutting food rations.

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Speaking on Thursday after a meeting with TVET principals at the Eldoret National Polytechnic, Ogamba said he was in talks with the National Treasury to have the money released.

“As of yesterday, my team was at the Treasury trying to find out if the capitation can be released soon. I want to assure the country that we are doing something. Going forward, we are going to ensure that capitation is released on time so that we don’t have these challenges that are a thing of the past.”

The TVET heads discussed matters affecting their institutions, including implementation of the Competency-Based Education and Training, Recognition of Prior Learning and preparation of students for the international market.

Eldoret National Polytechnic Principal Charles Koech said technical students are getting hands-on and industry-oriented training under the new training model.

“Ability to assess the Recognition of Prior Learning has been an achievement. By recognising the prior experience of individuals, we have allowed many learners to have their competencies acknowledged, which further reinforces the value of TVET as a pathway to upward mobility,” said Dr Koech.

Ogamba asked TVETs to reduce over-dependence on government capitation and start engaging in revenue-generating ventures.

“To sustain institutional growth and reduce dependence on government capitation, we are encouraging the development of Business Development Units and bankable projects. Developing bankable projects will enable institutions to attract funding, form partnerships, and enhance financial sustainability. We encourage all institutions to submit proposals for funding consideration,” he said.

“Given that 962,512 sat the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education examination last year, TVET institutions have a big pool of Form Four graduates that can be enrolled for training this year.”