Schools will have to wait longer for disbursement of free Education funds this term. The National Treasury has said it will release Sh48 billion capitation later this month urging schools to be patient as the government makes efforts to ensure smooth operation in the learning institutions.
Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi said the government may not be immediately having funds for the schools’ fee Capitation. Mbadi says his Ministry is mobilising resources and working closely with the Ministry of Education to ensure money hits the school accounts before the end of this month.
“We are working closely with the ministry of education to ensure money is released to schools on time to ensure smooth learning,” CS Mbadi said.
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Mr Mbadi said he was aware of the concerns raised by schools on the timely release of funds but urged them to bear with the government for a short time. He stated that January and February are normally very tricky months for the government but maintained that the capitation to schools was a Treasury priority.
“Our priority this year is to pay back the loans, release capitation to schools, salaries and release of December allocation to county governments,” Mr Mbadi explained.
He urged schools to start the term assuring them that no operation will be halted due to lack of funds.
“Let schools not act like there is an emergency, learning can still go on even if we have not released the funds. I can, however, assure them salaries of all school workers are available,” Mr Mbadi added.
The Treasury CS pointed out that in the event, the government fails to get the Sh48 billion in one tranche, at least half of the amount will be released to schools before the end of this month.
The lack of timely release of capitation to schools normally puts head teachers on an awkward position considering that they have to keep thousand learners in school.
Education CS Julius Ogamba in a statement assured schools that the ministry is collaborating with the National Treasury to ensure Sh48.38 billion, which is 50 percent capitation due to schools is released.
The amount includes Sh4.12 billion for free primary education, $h15.32 billion for free day junior school education while free day secondary school education will receive Sh28.92 billion.
