Education stakeholders in Migori County are urging the government to raise the current capitation per child in secondary schools due to the escalating cost of living in the country. Several school principals in Migori assert that managing schools has become increasingly challenging and costly due to insufficient finances.
Mr. Joseph Ojiala, the deputy chairperson of the Kenya Secondary School Heads Association for Suna West sub-county, highlighted the financial strain on schools, revealing that many owe substantial amounts to suppliers for provided goods and services. Ojiala emphasized on Tuesday that the current capitation of Ksh.22,000 per child should be augmented to address the impact of the high cost of living on schools.
These sentiments were seconded by Suna West Member of Parliament, Peter Masara, who appealed to the government, through the Ministry of Education, to enhance capitation for both primary and secondary schools. Speaking during the distribution of Ksh.30 million in bursaries to 4000 learners in Suna West, Masara disclosed ongoing discussions regarding capitation at the national assembly budget committee level.
Earlier this month, the National Treasury disbursed capitation fees for schools, allocating Ksh.4.74 billion to primary schools and Ksh.16.2 billion to secondary schools. The call for an increase in capitation reflects the pressing need to alleviate financial pressures faced by schools in Migori County.
