Delayed capitation, shortage of teachers hurting education sector

Naivasha MP Jane Kihara joins students from Governors Secondary School in Longonot in commissioning a multi-million dormitory. February 25, 2025. [Antony Gitonga, Standard]

Delayed capitation, new rules, and the failure to invest in human capital have been identified as leading challenges currently facing the education sector in the country.

According to Naivasha MP Jane Kihara, the challenges were eroding gains made in the sector for years and are affecting education standards.

Kihara noted that currently, learning in public schools has been adversely affected by the perennial delays in the disbursement of capitation funds.

She added that the situation had been worsened by new rules introduced in the Ministry of Education, which were affecting operations.

"For years, the education system operated smoothly until the current government moved in to introduce new rules that are not working," she said.

Speaking at Milimani Primary school after commissioning four classrooms constructed by the NG-CDF, she noted that tens of schools were suffering from congestion.

"The NG-CDF has come to the rescue of many schools in terms of classrooms, and this fund should be supported at all costs," she said.

Addressing the press after the commissioning of the classes, she questioned the source of millions being disbursed by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki every week.

"It's sad that as the education and health sectors continue to suffer in the country, some people are dishing out millions of taxes in the name of empowerment," she said.

A parent, John Kinuthia, lauded the new classrooms, noting that the school was one of the largest in Naivasha and congestion had affected learning.

"The new classrooms will help to decongest these classrooms, and we support the enactment of NG-CDF in the constitution as it has helped many," he said.

Another parent, Esther Mbugua, called for more capitation to public schools, mainly in informal settlements, due to the high number of students and the challenges they were facing.

"Capitation has come in handy to assist public schools around the country, and we call for its timely disbursement as the delays are affecting learning," said Father Eric Ochieng from St Xavier Catholic Church.