School heads warn of crisis over delayed free education money

Secondary school heads have warned of a looming crisis over the delay in setting up boards of management (BoMs) that approve school budgets and the release of free education cash.

Kenya Secondary School Heads Association's (Kessha) National Chairman John Awiti, said failure to disburse Sh2 billion in free education money this week will plunge schools into crisis.

He said one week after learning resumed, schools are yet to receive "even a single cent" to sustain learners. Communication from the Education ministry said the money is yet to be released from Treasury.

"But what we are really worried about is the delay in setting up these boards because our budgets must be approved in time," said Mr Awiti.

The Standard has however, established that a fight between a parents' association and school heads is at the centre of delayed establishment of the boards.

Kenya National Parents Association (Knap) Secretary General Musau Ndunda has written to Education Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi not to fund schools that have not constituted BoMs.

"We cannot allow Government money to be sent to schools that do not have proper structures of accountability," said Mr Ndunda.

He said of the 17 members of BoMs, Knap is only interested in the six members who represent parents. "We only approve the applications from schools and some heads have resisted this process," said Ndunda.

Awiti yesterday said schools are asked to part with Sh5000 of which they do not have express authorisation from the ministry.

 Court case

"We kindly ask Prof Kaimenyi to advise teachers from which vote head we shall get this money to facilitate elections of parents associations. As things stand, we do not have express word from the ministry," said Awiti, adding: "What we know is that all monies sent to schools should benefit children. Why would parents again ask for money sent to schools? To benefit who?" He also said principals are not afraid to be accountable.

On the other hand, Ndunda explained that the matter is in court and noted that the hearing is coming up on November 4. "All the questions they are raising have been answered in court documents and they better wait to tell the court their concerns," he said.

BoM's have representatives from school sponsors, parents, students, special needs and interest groups and teachers.

County Education Boards (CEBs) are also represented with school principals acting as secretaries to the board. The fight over setting up of BoMs comes at a time when CEBs have proposed that they should have powers to authorise expenditure of school capitations.