Free learning: State yet to release funds to schools

Lopelekwa Primary School pupils in West Pokot County during a past class. Schools are opening for second term next week. [File, Standard]

As schools open next week for the second term, some secondary schools are yet to receive free education funds since beginning of the year.

Some head teachers have expressed fears that operations may ground to a halt if disbursement of funds is further delayed.

Those who spoke to Saturday Standard on condition of anonymity said they have accumulated debts due to failure by the government to release the cash.

The head teachers are wondering whether the Ministry of Education will backdate and release the funds for first and second term once schools re-open.

“When we checked in the National Education Management System (Nemis) our school was listed among those that have received funds but names of some students were missing. When we checked on the school bank account, no funds had been sent,” said a Principal.

He said Board of Management (BOM) employed staff have gone for months without pay and may withdraw their services if the situation persists.

Supplement efforts

“BOM hired teachers to supplement efforts of TSC hired staff. If they miss payment, they may resort to seeking chances in other centres,” said the Principal of a mixed day secondary school in Nandi.

He added: “We were told the Nemis system works on termly basis. We are not sure if first term allocations will be disbursed once schools open for the second term.”

In a recent interview, Mr Julius Korir, the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) National Vice chairman said ‘there is a cash flow challenge in the government’ which has adversely affected schools.

Kuppet Nandi County branch executive secretary Paul Rotich confirmed that more than seven schools in Chesumei, Nandi North and Nandi Central are yet to receive allocations.