Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (KESSHA) Chairman Kahi Indimuli has suggested increasing the capitation amount per student from the current Sh22,244 to Sh30,000. Indimuli expressed these views during the 46th KESSHA Conference held in Mombasa. He cited challenges in managing schools due to rising commodity prices and delayed government funds disbursement.
Indimuli raised concerns about the current situation where schools do not receive the full amount of Sh22,244 and questioned how they could ask for more if even the existing funds are not fully disbursed. In the previous financial year, the proposed amount by school heads was Sh17,792, including retained funds for educational activities. However, there is still a deficit of Sh4,451 per student for that academic year. In the current financial year, they received a similar figure of Sh17,000 and are seeking to bridge a deficit of Sh5,000 per student. The accumulated unremitted capitation funds owed to schools amount to Sh8,901 per learner.
Indimuli emphasized the need to address the deficit, suggesting that parents should pay fees for their children in boarding schools to clear the gap. He highlighted the challenges faced by schools in providing basic necessities such as food, water, and sanitation when capitation funds are insufficient. Unlike the government, schools do not have the ability to borrow to cover budget deficits. Therefore, Indimuli urged parents to contribute by paying fees for boarding students and lunch money for day scholars to help meet the schools’ financial needs.
