KEPSHA Demands Better Pay and Funding for Special Needs Schools: “These Teachers Deserve More!”

KEPSHA Demands Better Pay and Funding for Special Needs Schools: “These Teachers Deserve More!”

A passionate plea for justice echoed across Kenya’s education sector on Sunday as the Kenya Primary Schools Head Teachers Association (KEPSHA) called for increased capitation and salaries for special education schools and teachers. The association urged the Ministry of Education to act swiftly and fairly.

“They Do So Much More”—KEPSHA Chair Speaks Out

KEPSHA Western Chair Tobius Omusale didn’t mince words. He highlighted the glaring inequality in funding between special education schools and other institutions.

“I want to call for the addition of capitation for these students,” Omusale said. “They have a lot of needs, including books and special gadgets,” he added.

He also praised special education teachers, emphasizing their dedication and the extra effort they put in daily.

“If I had the capability, I would have increased their salaries,” Omusale declared. “They do a lot of hard work,” he stressed.

“Ghost Learners Must Go”—Validation Exercise Underway

Omusale acknowledged the Ministry’s ongoing validation of schools and students. He said the process would help ensure accurate capitation and eliminate ghost learners.

“Scrutiny will ensure the capitation allocated is enough,” he noted. “We must clean up the system,” he added.

Despite the challenges, KEPSHA encouraged more enrollment of special needs children, insisting that every child deserves access to education.

“Ksh183 Billion Mismanaged”—Senator Seki Drops Bombshell

In a shocking revelation, Kajiado Senator Kanar Seki reported that Ksh183 billion in school funding had been mismanaged. Among the missing funds was Ksh67 billion meant for Special Needs Education (SNE) in secondary schools.

“These revelations raise fundamental questions about transparency and accountability,” Seki told the Senate. “It’s a betrayal of the Kenyan people,” he added.

He called for immediate action and demanded that the Ministry of Education explain how billions vanished while schools struggled.

“We Need Urgent Reform”—Capitation Delays Spark Concern

Due to the validation exercise, capitation disbursement for the third term has been delayed. Over 10,000 schools had not validated their data by August, causing widespread concern.

“Learners face teacher shortages, congestion, and delayed funding,” Seki warned. “We must fix this now,” he urged.

ALSO READ: Parliament Endorses 11 Key Appointments, Sparks Hope for Stronger Foreign Ties and Political Oversight

KEPSHA Demands Better Pay and Funding for Special Needs Schools: “These Teachers Deserve More!”