KESSHA Conference Opens in Mombasa Amid Calls for Increased School Funding

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The 48th Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (KESSHA) conference kicked off today in Mombasa, with school principals gearing up to welcome Grade 10 students next year under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC). However, the conference was dominated by concerns over delayed capitation funds, inadequate resources, and the rising cost of living, prompting urgent calls for government intervention.
Willie Kuria, KESSHA National Chairman, highlighted the financial strain schools are facing due to insufficient funding and outdated policies. “There’s need to increase school fees as the cost of living has been unbearable,” Kuria said. “The price of equipment we buy for our schools has increased by close to 45%.” He urged the National Treasury and the Ministry of Education to allocate more resources and review the decade-old system used to disburse secondary school funds, which he described as outdated and inadequate.

Principals echoed Kuria’s sentiments, citing the late release of capitation funds as a major hurdle. Masare Omburi, principal of Nyasake Secondary School in Kisii County, emphasized the need for timely disbursements to support infrastructure development for incoming students. “There’s need to develop infrastructure for the betterment of the incoming students next year,” Omburi stated. “The release of capitation on time is critical, as delays have paralyzed activities in schools.”

Simon, principal of Koringo Secondary School, revealed that schools are receiving significantly less than the expected funding. “We receive KSh 14,000 per student instead of KSh 22,000,” he said. “Running schools has been a challenge, and we’re looking forward to addressing this issue.”

The financial constraints have taken a toll on school administrators, with some facing severe personal challenges. Ben Ogallo, another principal, shared the emotional burden on his colleagues. “A lot of principals are facing challenges; some are even suffering from depression and are full of stress,” he said.

As the conference continues, principals are pressing for immediate action from the government to address the funding crisis, ensure timely capitation, and revise policies to reflect the current economic realities. The outcomes of these discussions will be critical as schools prepare for the CBC transition and strive to provide quality education amidst mounting challenges.

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