KCSE exams in limbo as Government delays release of funds

𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐬: 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐝 𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐦𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐊𝐂𝐒𝐄 𝐩𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐬

Secondary school heads are sounding the alarm over the delayed disbursement of capitation funds, which they said may affect the upcoming Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) science practicals.

Willy Kuria, national chairman of the Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (KESSHA) and Principal at Murang’a High School, emphasized that many schools are running low on funds to purchase essential materials for the practical exams.

He noted that several Day Secondary Schools have been forced to seek assistance from larger institutions to facilitate their students’ practicals.

“We have Form-3 students from Gikuu Day Secondary and Kambirwa Day Secondary schools doing their practicals here at Murang’a High School,” Kuria said.

He highlighted the struggles teachers face in providing adequate training, as many can only conduct practical sessions once a month due to financial constraints.

Kuria warned that if the government doesn’t release at least part of the remaining Sh24 billion in capitation, schools may have to close earlier than the scheduled end date of October 25, 2024.

He urged the Ministry of Education to act swiftly to ensure that KCSE practicals can proceed smoothly and that students can complete their term as planned.

Headteachers Samuel Mwangi of Gikuu Day Secondary School and Peter Wanyama of Kambirwa Day Secondary School echoed these concerns, noting that students from Day Schools are performing poorly in sciences compared to languages and humanities due to a lack of facilities and resources for practicals.