Schools re-open on Monday amidst delayed capitation release

There was an allocation of Sh9.6 billion to cater for 1.2 million Grade 7 learners.

In Summary
  • Education CS Ezekiel Machogu previously said the delays are a result of ongoing data process.
  • For instance in primary schools, some schools are yet to officially open bank accounts for Grade 7.
Students await for a bus at Nakuru bus stop as schools close for half-term on March 15, 2023.
Students await for a bus at Nakuru bus stop as schools close for half-term on March 15, 2023.
Image: WILLISH ADUR

Primary and secondary schools will on Monday resume after mid-term break despite delays in capitation release.

Education CS Ezekiel Machogu previously said the delays are a result of the ongoing data processes.

"Once we get the data of how many students have been admitted to a school then we will release the money," Machogu told senators.

For instance in primary schools, some schools are yet to officially open bank accounts for Grade 7.

A school headteacher told the Star she is still computing data for enrolled students in Grade 7.

"Previously I had 120 Grade 6 learners but this year I received 60 more students," she said.

Another public school in Kisii had the Grade 7 student reduced after most of their learners were transferred.

With this change in numbers, they have to update the NEMIS system to allow for capitation to be sent.

"We have to update our NEMIS data because now we have fewer students than what we had last year," she said.

According to 2022/2023 supplementary budget estimates there is an allocation of Sh9.6 billion to cater for 1.2 million Grade 7 learners.

"The committee was concerned that proper costing was not undertaken to arrive at the per capita allocation and the parameters considered to the figure," the report reads.

While submitting the estimates to the committee, Basic Education PS Belio Kipsang noted that the Grade 7 capitation requirement is Sh19.1 billion.

"The capitation requirement for terms I and II will be Sh15.7 billion.  Therefore, the total requirement is Sh34.9 billion," Kipsang said.

He said the amount was arrived at, after consultation with an international agency.

"In 2020, we had signed a consultancy with World Bank to see how will fund Grade 7, notwithstanding domiciling," Kipsang said.

He said the tentative figure was Sh18,600 but the ministry settled on Sh15,042.

For secondary schools, the ministry is supposed to disburse Sh22,240 per student as capitation.

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