NYERI, Kenya, Mar 14 — Kenya Union of Post-Primary Teachers (KUPPET) has threatened an early closure of schools over delayed capitation remittances by the government.
The union’s Executive Secretary in Nyeri, Francis Wanjohi, told news reporters on Thursday that school heads were facing difficulties financing operations since the government had only disbursed 25 per cent of funds out of an expected 50 per cent for the term.
“Unfortunately, this term the Ministry of Education has only disbursed half of the money for captivation. This has caused a lot of stress to Principals since they cannot afford to buy essentials to keep learners in their institutions,” Wanjohi said.
“Unless the reminder is disbursed they have no alternative but to close school early,” he asserted.
Wanjohi said that many Principals had been dragged to court due to debts. He said their institutions were not creditworthy as a result of recurrent funding delays.
He further lamented that due to the funding crisis, students cannot participate in co-curriculum activities such as sports and drama.
“We feel we might be experiencing a return of strikes in institutions where students are not participating in activities and that is the reason why we need disbursement of funds,” the union official explained.
Wanjohi also lamented that some teachers working in municipalities had been left out of enhanced house allowances, a move he termed discriminatory.
“As a union, we demand that all teachers in municipalities be given equitable house allowances. This will bring uniformity and farlirness,” said Wanjohi.
