Secondary school heads have called upon the government to release at least part of the delayed capitation, saying delays in funding might disrupt the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) science practicals.
Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (KESSHA) National Chairman, Willy Kuria, noted that the delay in disbursement of capitation will adversely affect the imminent KCSE science practical exams because a majority of the schools are running out of funds to purchase materials needed for the tests.
Speaking at Murang’a High School, where he is the Principal, Kuria further noted that most Day Secondary Schools have not been able to handle the end-of-term science practicals, and have been forced to seek help from bigger institutions to enable their learners to do the practicals.
“We have Form-3 students from Gikuu Day Secondary and Kambirwa Day Secondary schools doing their practicals here at Murang’a High School,” Kuria said.
Kuria highlighted that the teachers from these schools acknowledged that they have been having challenges in training their students on science practicals since they can only afford to do so once a month.
The chairman also stated that due to the delayed funds, secondary schools might be forced to close earlier than the stipulated school calendar date of October 25.
“The school calendar stipulates that all Kenyan secondary schools should close for the end-of-year holiday from October 25, 2024; however, the school term may be cut short if the government will not release at least part of the capitation to schools,” he stated.
Kuria called upon the Ministry of Education to release at least part of the remaining Sh24 billion capitation to ensure KCSE practicals are not affected and also to enable continuing learners to remain in schools up to the end of the term.
Headteachers Samuel Mwangi of Gikuu Day Secondary School and his counterpart Peter Wanyama of Kambirwa Day Secondary School echoed Kuria’s sentiments and confirmed that the students in day schools have been performing poorly in sciences in comparison to languages and humanities.
They attributed the dismal performance in sciences to a lack of facilities, equipment, and materials for practicals.
By Purity Mugo
