Wait ends as public schools receive free education cash

Kenya Secondary school Heads Association national chairman Kahi Indimuli and Knec's George Magoha during a media briefing at the KICD in Nairobi on October 1, 2018. PHOT | MARTIN MUKANGU | NATION MEDIA GROUP

Public schools have finally received cash for free education after several weeks of waiting.

Kenya Secondary School Heads Association chairman Kahi Indimuli confirmed this on Tuesday, saying, “Schools can plan for their activities effectively."

Several principals confirmed that they had received the government money which will enable them to pay suppliers as well as teaching and non-teaching staff.

The National treasury released the cash last Friday, Sh30 billion to secondary schools and Sh6 billion for primary schools.

Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang said the cash was disbursed through the National Education Management System.

Dr Kipsang noted that use of the Nemis to disburse the funds had improved accuracy and accountability and boosted enrolment.

ALLOCATIONS

The government introduced free secondary school education in 2018, promising to pay Sh22,224 per student per year.

For national and extra-county schools in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nyeri, Thika and Eldoret, the government pays Sh22,244, while parents provide Sh53,554, bringing the total to Sh75,798 per year.

Category B boarding and extra-county schools in other areas receive Sh22,244 from the government while parents pay Sh40,535 bringing the annual fees to Sh62,779.

The government has also increased the Special Needs Secondary Education funds to Sh57,974 from Sh37,210, with the parents paying Sh12,790, down from Sh32,600.