Junior Secondary School (JSS) learners across the country have received a capitation grant of only Sh5,000 per student for the 2024 academic year, significantly lower than the anticipated Sh15,000. This substantial reduction has raised concerns among educators, parents, and stakeholders about the implications for the quality of education and the overall well-being of the students.
Earlier in the year, the government had assured that each JSS learner would receive Sh15,000 in capitation funds to support various educational needs, including learning materials, infrastructural improvements, and extracurricular activities. This promise was seen as a vital step towards enhancing the quality of education and ensuring that all learners had access to the resources they needed to thrive academically.
However, the disbursement of only Sh5,000 has left many schools scrambling to adjust their budgets and priorities. The gap between the promised amount and the actual disbursement is significant, and its impact is expected to be felt across various aspects of the education system.
For many schools, the reduced capitation means cutting back on essential services and resources. Learning materials such as textbooks and laboratory equipment, which are crucial for the comprehensive understanding of subjects, may now be out of reach for many learners. Additionally, infrastructure projects aimed at improving the learning environment, such as building new classrooms or upgrading existing facilities, will likely face delays or cancellations.
Extracurricular activities, which play a vital role in the holistic development of students, may also suffer. Sports, arts, and other programs that rely on adequate funding to purchase equipment and hire qualified personnel may see reduced participation and effectiveness.
The response from educators has been one of concern and frustration. Many teachers have expressed their worries about how they will manage to provide quality education with such limited funds. Some have pointed out that the reduced capitation will disproportionately affect schools in underprivileged areas, where resources are already scarce.
Parents, too, are feeling the strain. With the cost of living continuing to rise, many parents were counting on the government’s capitation to ease the financial burden of educating their children. The reduced funding means that some parents may have to dig deeper into their pockets to cover expenses that the capitation was supposed to cover.
The government has cited budgetary constraints as the primary reason for the reduced capitation. In a statement, the Ministry of Education acknowledged the shortfall but reassured the public that they are exploring alternative funding sources and mechanisms to support schools.
“We understand the challenges that this reduction presents, and we are committed to finding solutions that will ensure our learners receive the quality education they deserve,” said a ministry spokesperson. “We are working closely with stakeholders to identify areas where we can optimize resources and seek additional funding.”
