The government has released over Sh22 billion to support learners in public basic education institutions during the second term.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba on Tuesday announced that a total of Sh22,028,911,191.40 has been allocated to facilitate operations in public primary, junior, and secondary schools across the country.
According to the CS, the funds will support various levels of basic education as follows: Sh1.37 billion for Free Primary Education, Sh8.9 billion for Free Day Junior School Education, Sh118.4 million for Special Needs Education in Junior Schools, and Sh11.64 billion for Free Day Secondary Education.
“The release of capitation funds will facilitate the smooth running of school activities during the new term,” Ogamba said.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that all learners access free and compulsory basic education as guaranteed under Article 53(1)(b) of the Constitution.
Ogamba urged school heads and principals to manage the resources prudently and warned against imposing unauthorised levies on learners.
“As a Ministry, we will take decisive action against any misuse of resources or unlawful charges imposed on learners,” he warned.
The disbursement offers relief to school administrators who had been grappling with financial strain following weeks of delay. The funds were initially expected on May 9, 2025, but were not released, leaving schools struggling to pay staff and suppliers, and forcing the suspension of some academic and co-curricular activities.
Ogamba had made the funding pledge during the Naivasha Education Conference on May 2, 2025, where he called on education stakeholders to closely monitor the utilisation of the funds.
He acknowledged that occasional delays in capitation disbursement are due to competing demands for government resources and delays in Exchequer releases.
“Some of the government-funded programmes are extremely costly. As a result, we have on some occasions lagged behind in disbursing capitation funds to schools,” the CS explained.
Ogamba assured that the Ministry remains committed to supporting schools and ensuring that public resources serve the intended purpose of advancing education for all learners.
