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Irene Githinji @gitshee

Head teachers yesterday warned of a crisis in schools unless the government disburses funds on time.

Through the Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (KESSHA), the principals said the Form One intake will pile more pressure on limited infrastructure.

This the first time that all the more than 15 million leaners will be in school since the outbreak of Covid-19 in March last year.

The Ministry of Education has, however, said it is in the process of  disbursing funds.

Director of Secondary Education Paul Kibet yesterday said  secondary schools will receive Sh15 billion to cover the first three months of the school calendar while a similar amount will be disbursed in the second quarter.

Social distancing

“The Ministry is in the process of preparing disbursements of funds to facilitate running of the schools especially with Form One admissions from next week,” said Kibet in Nairobi when he attended the launch of a report on teacher preparedness for Term One.

KESSHA chairman Kahi Indimuli said schools require a lot of financial support if social distancing is to be realised.

“Social distancing is going to be a problem,” he said.

The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) Secretary Nancy Macharia directed school heads to avoid charging unnecessary levies.

“TSC is investigating allegations that some teachers are not complying with government directives on fees. Action will be taken against the culpable,” said Macharia.

Indimuli said principals and parents were not at war over fees because teachers too are parents.

“Where we have colleagues who have gone rogue, let it be dealt with at an individual level and not a condemnation of the entire head teachers and principals fraternity,” he said.

Indimuli asked parents to give an assurance that all arrears will be paid at the end of the year to enable schools to operate properly.