KUPPET Ultimatum on Delayed Capitation
The workshop brought together leaders of North Rift KUPPET branches, national leaders, and other stakeholders in the education sector.
The workshop brought together leaders of North Rift KUPPET branches, national leaders, and other stakeholders in the education sector.
By Juliet Jerotich
The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has called for the government to disburse school capitation funds by Monday. The union warned that a failure to release funds could lead to the closure of schools during the mid-term break.
The warning was given at the close of a three-day leadership and governance workshop in Eldoret. The workshop brought together leaders of North Rift KUPPET branches, national leaders, and other stakeholders in the education sector. The leaders indicated that schools are ailing because delayed government funding is threatening the smooth continuity of learning across the country.
The organizers declared the workshop a success, having achieved 95 percent of its goals. Workshop organizers indicated the workshop was more than just a training session. It became a platform for teachers and education leaders to discuss the many issues schools are facing. Among the biggest issues that came to the forefront was the delayed disbursement of government capitation.
KUPPET National Chairman and Emuhaya MP, Hon. Omboko Milemba, said the matter had reached crisis levels. He called upon Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi and other government officials to ensure the money is released to schools without further delays. Milemba said failure to witness the money in schools by Monday would have the union instructing heads and principals to close down institutions of learning.
Schools resumed a week ago but there is no money that has been released,” Milemba said. “It is an exam term, one of the shortest terms in the calendar. It is unacceptable that the government has failed to release even the bare minimum funds necessary for learning to occur.
He added that the schools run without electricity, teaching materials, and food items. The suppliers are not compensated, while the teachers and students face frustrations daily. Milemba stressed that teaching cannot continue under such conditions.
The chairman of KUPPET also blamed the government for slashing capitation from KSh 22,200 to KSh 16,900 per student. According to him, this was a renegade on promises under the Competency-Based Curriculum and Vision 2030. Cutting funds, in his opinion, undermines the quality of education and risks lowering the dignity of schools across the country.
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