By Augustine Oduor
Pressure is mounting on the Government over the amount of money to be disbursed to schools starting next term even as a team set up by Education PS James ole Kiyiapi compiles its report.
Whereas secondary schools want the amount disbursed per student doubled, primary schools want seven times the current amount sent per pupil.
Since 2003, each primary pupil has been receiving Sh1,020 every term while since 2008, secondary students have been getting Sh10,265.
The figures were findings of the Eda Gachukia taskforce of 2003 and 2008 that sought views across the country on the right capitation for schools per child.
Kenya Secondary School Heads Association now wants the amount reviewed to more than Sh20,000 per student.
National chair Cleopas Tirop said beginning next term, each student should receive money based on the price index of commodities.
He says the Government must compare the cost of items under the current market prices to establish the real value of every shilling sent per student. "Since 2008 when free day secondary was launched, every price unit has more than doubled. The amount to schools should also be nothing less than doubled," he said.
Kenya Primary Schools Heads Association national chair Joseph Karuga, said some Sh7,250 should be allocated to each pupil.
"After computation, putting all factors in focus, we see this as the fitting amount per pupil," he said.
However, the State maintains the taskforce set up last month will come up with guiding figures that would form basis of discussion with Treasury.
Education Secretary George Godia said whatever will be proposed by the team shall again be subjected to discussion with Treasury to find a suitable figure that the Government can afford.
