The government has officially released Sh17.8 billion to cater for second term fees starting on Monday 11th 2021 for continuing students and also settle pending bills for Form Ones.
“The money will hit schools’ accounts tomorrow (Friday 8th October 2021)and we have made sure that the money reaches schools before opening day next week ” Basic Education PS Jwan Julius
In totality of the money released by the government :
- Sh15.8 billion will cater for Free Day Secondary School
- Sh2.2 billion will go towards Free Primary Education.
Schools will be officially open on Monday for second term that will last 11 weeks, from October 11 to December 23.This is after a holiday of 1 week.
Below is the revised term dates :
At the same time, about one million Form One students fed on meals bought by money disbursed to cater for other learners, it has emerged.
“We need the money because we closed first term without funds based on the number of Form Ones. What was released was based on the other learners,” said Mr Indimuli.
It emerged that parents of some Form One students did not clear first term fees, further straining school budgets.
Jwan said the money released to schools now covers all Form One students whose details were captured on National Education Management Information System.
Indimuli said schools will suffer if the money does not hit accounts before Monday.
He also asked parents to pay fees noting it was reduced by Sh8,000 to ease their burden.
“It is important for the government to encourage parents to continue paying fees. We know they have suffered and as teachers we are also parents and everyone has been hit. But schools must run,” said Indimuli.
The official said it is not right for parents to send children to schools without money.
“For the entire first term, Form Ones used monies that were disbursed to cater for continuing students, this is not sustainable,” said a high school principal in Nairobi.