KNUT Issues New Demands Over School Funds to Save Learning Programs

The Secretary General of the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT), Collins Oyuu, has issued a strong appeal to the national government, urging it to release capitation funds to schools without delay.

Speaking during a public engagement in Migori County on Sunday, Oyuu emphasized that the timely disbursement of these funds is critical for the smooth functioning of schools, particularly under the new Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) system.

Oyuu stressed that for the CBC to be effectively implemented and achieve its intended outcomes, schools must be adequately and consistently funded. He noted that delays in the release of capitation funds have left head teachers grappling with the challenge of maintaining operations in an environment where financial resources are severely lacking.

“Competency-Based Education is a transformative initiative, but it cannot be realized in the absence of sufficient and timely funding. Our school administrators are currently being forced to operate under extremely difficult conditions,” Oyuu remarked. He added that many school heads are resorting to borrowing money to keep their institutions afloat—a practice that is both unsustainable and stressful.

The KNUT boss painted a grim picture of the current state of school leadership, saying that head teachers are under immense pressure, with some suffering from mental health issues due to the financial strain they face on a daily basis.

“We have reached a point where school administrators are being overwhelmed by the stress of managing schools without the necessary financial support. The government must act with urgency to correct this situation,” he said.

Beyond financial concerns, Oyuu also touched on leadership matters within the education sector. He strongly reiterated that the current head teachers in charge of both primary schools and junior secondary schools should remain in their positions, in accordance with the recommendations of the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms.

He cautioned the government against any attempts to deploy new personnel to take over the administration of junior secondary schools, arguing that such a move would disrupt the progress already made and demoralize the current school leadership.

“The head teachers already overseeing junior secondary and primary schools have shown dedication and are familiar with the needs of their institutions. There is no need to bring in new faces when the current ones are already doing a commendable job,” Oyuu asserted.

His remarks come at a time when the education sector in Kenya is undergoing a critical transformation, with stakeholders raising concerns about underfunding, inadequate infrastructure, and a lack of clarity in policy implementation.

Oyuu’s statements have added to the growing chorus of voices calling for urgent and comprehensive reforms to ensure the success of CBC and the overall improvement of the country’s education system.

As schools prepare for the next academic calendar, the KNUT Secretary General urged the Ministry of Education to prioritize the welfare of learners and school administrators alike. “Education is the backbone of this nation. We cannot afford to neglect it by failing to fund it adequately or by destabilizing the leadership structures that hold our schools together,” he concluded.

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