No Extra Funds to Cushion Capitation, Government Says

By Mwakwaya Raymond

Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com

The government has told off teachers on their demands for the increase of capitation saying it was unattainable.

With this out of the cards, headteachers would have to do with what has been budgeted for the education sector Teacher’s have however or seek the overburdened parents’ intervention through changing fee structures.

Through the national director of schools audit Victoria Angwenyi, the government said it was grappling with harsh economic situation and could not meet the teachers demands.

The director, however, advised teachers to look for alternative options by involving parents to readjust their fee structures so as to finance their budgets.

According to her the 2023/2024 finance law was passed without any increment on capitation and it would be wrong to promise teachers money that was not there to cushion them.

Addressing the media at the ongoing Kenya secondary schools headteachers association’s conference (KSSHA) in Mombasa on June 27, the government appealed to teachers to understand and adjust accordingly.

“I understand there’s inflation hitting our economy at the moment and I know for sure teachers are unable to meet their financial budgets but there’s nothing much the government can do as there are no funds that we can guarantee you at the moment,” she said.

She told headteachers they could only adjust their fee structures after seeking parents’ approval and endorsement of the Ministry of Education.

“You must consult with parents before making any changes of your fee structures and it must not surpass the set ceiling.”

According to the set standards for County schools the charges should not be more than Sh45,000 while for national schools it must not exceed Sh55,000.

Miss Angwenyi was also categorical that sending students home for fees was wrong especially when they (teachers) had increased ‘illegal’ boarding fees.

“The government pays the tution fees and boarding fees are paid by parents so there’s no point of sending students home as teachers are already in schools fully paid by the government.”

The director explained that any fee increment should be moderate and affordable to accommodate all parents so as to enable all students continue with their studies.

She warned that the government would monitor and follow up closely all the fees adjustments that shall be made by schools to ensure they are within the stipulated perimeters.

The school managers are in a catch-22 situation and have already raised the red flag that they can no longer run learning institutions efficiently and effectively without additional funds.

On June 26, the KSSHA chairman Indimuli Kahi called on the government to increase the capitation for schools to meet their various budgets.

The week long conference will be closed down by the National Assembly speaker Moses Wetangula on June 30.