Ruto Orders Education Ministry to Increase Capitation for Public Schools

President William Ruto has directed the Ministry of Education to review and increase government capitation, allocated to public schools ahead of the reopening of schools in January 2027.

Speaking during the Kenya Comprehensive School Heads Association (KESSHA) National Annual General Meeting in Mombasa on Thursday, November 12, Ruto said the current funding needed to be reviewed to ensure schools had enough resources to support learning.

The Head of State instructed Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and other education stakeholders to assess the amount the government allocates per learner.

He wants the team to establish how much additional funding public schools require to meet their operational needs and improve the learning environment.

Ruto directed the Ministry and TSC to submit their findings to his office by January 2027. The report will guide his decision on the proposed increase before learners return for the first term.

“I have instructed Ogamba and the TSC to again look at the numbers so that we can review that capitation and make it upwards and make it possible for you to teach our children better,” Ruto said.

He added that he expected the report by January, giving him time to consider the recommendations and decide on the next course of action.

The directive comes amid concerns from school heads over the cost of running public institutions, with capitation expected to support essential expenses such as teaching materials, administration and other day-to-day activities.

An increase could provide schools with additional resources and ease some of the financial pressure faced by administrators as they manage their institutions.

It could also help reduce the need for schools to seek extra contributions from parents and guardians to meet operational costs. However, the actual impact on households will depend on the final amount approved and whether the government releases the funds on time.

Ruto’s directive places the Ministry of Education and TSC at the centre of the review, with their report expected to inform the government’s decision on funding public schools in the 2027 academic year.

LINK: https://www.kenyans.co.ke/news/129329-ruto-directs-education-ministry-raise-capitation-public-schools?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=ME&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAcGRvZgRzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA80MDk5NjI2MjMwODU2MDkAAR_OEdJzNyZQC_AxaYX-qbDkJFKVS_-nPdYkgDcDM9u0uzzp5EThMwqX66qH7g_aem_j-ws50jgjCclZJMxf_I7Xg