Broken promises pile up as public schools struggle without funding

Schools this week enter the second month of Term Two without receiving capitation  funds, plunging many institutions into an operational crisis.

But this adds to the list of unfulfilled promises the Education Ministry has been making.

This comes despite the government's earlier pledge to disburse funds at the start of the term—another promise that remains unmet as critical issues in the education sector continue to suffer.

Faced with one of the worst funding crises in history, questions are mounting over the Ministry of Education’s priorities.

With the sector facing one of its worst funding crises in years, the Ministry's priorities have been put to question with the latest decision being the decision to rebrand the virtual student register known as National Education Management Information System(NEMIS).

The system will now be known as the Kenya Education Management Information System(KEMIS).

While the system has been dubbed vital for the ministry to make informed decisions, it has also been fingered as a non-priority area that will gobble millions in place of, pressing problems facing teachers, learners, and institutions every day.

“What will KEMIS do for a hungry child or a school that hasn’t paid electricity bills?  Where will we get students to enroll in that system if they skip school or drop-out?” a headteacher at a public school in Kiambu questioned.

The Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (KESSHA) chairman, Willy Kuria, echoed similar concerns on Saturday, warning that the government’s delay is now exposing learners to unnecessary suffering.

“We have done everything possible to keep schools running, but without funds, it’s only a matter of time before some schools grind to a halt. We are operating in survival mode.” Kuria said.

With schools cash-strapped, many have turned to parents to fill the gap; a move that parents now feel neglected and exposed by the government as school heads pile up levies each year.

Despite repeated circulars from Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba prohibiting unauthorised fees, reports from across the country indicate that schools continue to impose charges—often disguised as 'development fees' or 'emergency support'.

The Ministry is seen to be slow in enforcement as no action has been taken to any school head despite parents complaints.

“We are being asked to contribute for everything—repairs, security, even toilet paper. The government promised free education. What we are seeing is anything but that,” Silas Obuhatsa, the National Parents Association chairman told the Standard.

Back in January, CS Ogamba had promised a crackdown on the practice, saying field officers would ensure strict adherence to the Ministry’s approved fee structures. 

However, four months down the line, schools continue to overcharge parents and with little action in place.

But for school heads the problem is beyond the delayed capitation as they indicate that the ministry has been slashing the amount they receive for capitation leaving them with little choice.

“You can’t run a school with good intentions, we are not just managing learning—we are paying support staff, buying lab reagents, maintaining infrastructure. And all this costs money.” Kuria said.

Adding to the growing list of broken promises is the pledge to restore capitation to Sh22,244 per learner, up from Sh17,000. 

The increment was first announced by former Education CS Ezekiel Machogu, but two years down the line, the full capitation is yet to be restored.

Educationist Janet Ouko argues that the failure to provide the full capitation has exposed schools, especially day schools that are expected to fully rely on these funds without charging extra funds to schools.

“The idea of free day secondary education is a pure lie, there is nothing like free secondary or even primary education because our parents have been paying for various functions in these public schools.

“The capitation gap has widened, and it's choking schools, especially day schools.The government must align promises with budgetary realities if parents are supposed to pay, let the government be honest about that instead of empty threats,” Muthoni said.

Teachers are also suffering the consequences of empty promises from the government. 

The government’s failure to remit contributions to the teachers medical cover under the AON-Minet medical scheme has seen hospitals turn away teachers, leaving them vulnerable to both health and financial shocks.

“Teachers are being forced to pay cash for medical treatment despite deductions from their payslips. It’s demoralising and dangerous.” Akello Misori, the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers said in a previous press briefing.

The situation has cast a long shadow over morale in the profession, especially in remote and marginalised areas where working conditions are already difficult.

But that’s not all, the recent proposal by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi to slash hardship allowances by de-gazetting some of the current 44 hardship zones has further angered educators. 

Teachers’ unions, particularly KUPPET, and the Kenya Union of Teachers(KNUT) have vowed to resist the move, calling it an act of betrayal.

“This government is undermining those working in the most difficult conditions. What message are we sending to teachers sacrificing daily to serve in arid and insecure areas?” Collins Oyuu the KNUT secretary general said.

Meanwhile, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) is under fire for overburdening teachers with non-teaching tasks, while failing to address key welfare issues like recruitment transparency and support staff shortages.

“We are seeing cases of political interference in teacher recruitment—MPs giving out appointment letters at public events, this undermines meritocracy and demotivates qualified educators,” Oyuu said.

At the same time, President William Ruto's decision to ease an earlier decision on establishment of public universities has also raised eyebrows over the government’s priorities in the university sector.

In April, President William Ruto ordered the upgrade of Nyandarua Institute of Science and Technology into a university, followed by the elevation of Uzima College just last week—even as existing ones are drowning in debt.

Critics warn that this expansionist approach is unsustainable with the current institutions already suffering a Sh72 billion debt.

Already, the government has declared 21 public universities insolvent, with debts exceeding their assets and previous promises by the Education Ministry to deal with the debt have not been acted upon.

While appearing before parliament previously, Higher Education Principal Secretary Beatrice Inyangala detailed plans to gradually deal with the debt.

However, eight months later the debt that then stood at Sh65 billion has now ballooned to a whooping Sh72 billion.

“You can’t build new houses when your current ones are collapsing. Public universities are struggling to pay staff, deliver quality education, and retain students. Elevating more institutions only adds to the financial burden,” Janet Muthoni told The Standard on Saturday.