There has been an uneasy calm over the status of free day and secondary education funding, with schools now stating they are stretched beyond their capacity.

The government has found itself on the receiving end from various stakeholders – from the principals, to teachers to unions.

They have all called out the government for the delay in releasing school funds, yet the head teachers risk punishment if they send students home.

Worse still for head teachers, the first term is almost coming to an end and running schools has been a tall order for them.

Although the government has disbursed part of the capitation meant for this term, the learning institutions say they are struggling because they did not get even half of what they deserve.

The government allocates Sh22,244 annually per learner which is disbursed in instalments of 50 per cent over first term, 30 per cent during the second term with the remainder, 20 per cent, in third term.

But school heads say that almost less than half of allocation for first term was disbursed and the government has been promising every week to disburse the remaining cash.

Schools are under pressure from suppliers for failing to pay promptly and also a struggle to pay other non-teaching staff.

We call on the responsible State officials to stop what appears to be a game of pingpong over cash for learning.

Education, which is a key transformational agenda for the government, should be given better priority if the desired outcomes are to be achieved.

It is important for government to keep its word because it has constantly delayed releasing funds every time, despite giving it the lion’s share in the country’s annual budget.

The government should release funds as opposed to just managing public expectations while setting up school heads for failure.

It is time for Treasury to keep its word and ensure the huge allocation it gives to the education sector reaches the targeted institutions on time.

Quality of education must not be compromised owing to delayed disbursement, with day secondary schools, that fully depend on capitation and have the largest number of learners, bearing the biggest brunt.