School Heads Shocked As Government Reverses Disbursed Cash

By Getrude Matayo

The government reversed funds allocated to Head Teachers to run schools for a second and third term which was also set for payment of the Board of management teachers and subordinate staff.

The Ministry of Education had on Thursday morning updated the National Education Management Information System (Nemis) indicated that 3,725 shillings per student and 1 shilling per student had been released into the operations account and tuition accounts of schools respectively.

Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association chairman Kahi Indimuli confirmed that the funds were reversed, adding that the Ministry of Education was yet to detail how the funds would be spent.

“We are shocked that the allocated funds are no longer showing in the school students capitation system,” said one principal who requested anonymity for fear of victimization.

Another principal said that he had confirmed from his school’s Nemis system that the funds had been allocated to each student and was hoping to receive the funds in the school’s bank account.

On Friday, August 7, Treasury Secretary Ukur Yattani stated that he would consult Magoha on the funds, which Yattani had already given the green light to be released.

“The funds that are supposed to be released to schools will be used to pay the Board of Management teachers and other workers and I have already given instruction for the release of the money. I will confirm with Magoha if the budget has been drawn and submitted to the Treasury” Said CS Yattani.

Board of Management Teachers have gone four months without salaries but were set to enjoy government relief alongside Teacher Service Commission (TSC) as their private schools’ colleagues languish

The funds are also to be used to pay non-teaching staff, who include security officers, to ensure proper maintenance and safety of schools

More than 72,000 BOM teachers across the country have not been paid since March when schools closed due to the Covis-19 pandemic. Due to lack of funds, school heads have been left vulnerable as workers were sent on leave while others risk being vandalized.

Private schools want CS Magoha to offer them a 7 billion shillings relief to aid them to navigate through the crisis