PS Bitok Says Ksh95 Per Learner Meant for Books in Capitation Breakdown
Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok has issued a detailed clarification on the allocation of capitation funds to public primary schools, following widespread public concern over reports that only Ksh95.25 had been disbursed per learner.
In a statement released on April 29, the Ministry of Education outlined how the total annual capitation of Ksh1,400 per learner is distributed across various categories to support both learning and operational needs in schools.
The clarification comes amid growing scrutiny from parents, teachers, and stakeholders who questioned whether the funding was sufficient to sustain quality education in public institutions.
Addressing the concerns, Bitok emphasised that the Ksh95.25 figure had been misunderstood, noting that it specifically caters for learning materials such as textbooks and stationery. “The amounts shown are per learner, not per school,” he stated, seeking to correct public interpretation of the figures.
He further explained, “The Ksh95.25 per learner is for learning materials only, such as books and stationery, while the Ksh93.08 per learner is for school operations such as staff, maintenance, utilities, and exams.”
Under Account 1, the Ksh95.25 allocated per learner is specifically earmarked for instructional materials. Of this amount, Ksh40 is designated for exercise books, while Ksh35.25 goes towards stationery. Teachers’ guides and reference materials receive Ksh15, with an additional Ksh5 set aside for textbook maintenance.
Infrastructure maintenance and improvements, including classroom repairs and sanitation facilities, receive Ksh23, reflecting the ministry’s focus on maintaining conducive learning environments.
Bitok stressed that strict guidelines have been put in place to govern the utilisation of these funds. “The utilisation of the funds will be strictly as stipulated unless otherwise authorised by the relevant authority,” he warned, signalling tighter oversight on school spending.
The PS also confirmed that the funds have already been disbursed to school accounts based on enrolment data captured through the National Education Management Information System as of November 25, 2024. Verification of the data and fund usage will be conducted by school heads and Sub-County Directors of Education.
To enhance transparency and accountability, County Directors of Education have been instructed to ensure that all head teachers receive the capitation breakdown promptly. Sub-County Directors will be responsible for monitoring compliance and ensuring that funds are used strictly in line with the ministry’s guidelines.
Additionally, head teachers have been directed to publicly display capitation details on school notice boards. This measure is intended to keep parents and stakeholders informed, while also promoting responsible financial management at the school level.
The clarification is expected to ease tensions surrounding the funding issue, although concerns about the adequacy of capitation in meeting the growing demands of the education sector persist.
Education stakeholders continue to call for increased investment in public schools, citing rising operational costs and the need to fully support the implementation of the Competency-Based Curriculum.
As the government moves to reinforce accountability measures, the focus now shifts to effective utilisation of the available resources to ensure that learners across the country benefit from quality and equitable education.
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PS Bitok Says Ksh95 Per Learner Meant for Books in Capitation Breakdown
