The government has reaffirmed its commitment to the timely disbursement of capitation funds and construction of classrooms, as the Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (KESSHA) called for the deployment of more counselors in schools.
Speaking during the official opening of the 49th KCB/KESSHA Annual National Conference at Sheikh Zayed in Mombasa, Chief of Staff and Head of the Public Service Felix Koskei said the government had employed more than 100,000 teachers through the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and built over 23,000 classrooms nationally to support the rollout of Competency-Based Education (CBE).
Koskei said efforts were underway to ensure schools receive resources on schedule. “We are working to ensure capitation reaches schools on time so that principals can plan effectively and minimise disruptions to learning,” he said.
He added that the investments demonstrated that education was not an expenditure but a strategic investment in the country’s future prosperity.
“The government has made substantial investments in education to support the rollout of CBE,” Koskei said.
The Head of Public Service further urged school leaders to prioritise the mental well-being of learners and staff, noting that schools should invest more in guidance, counseling, and psychosocial support, as academic pressure and social challenges continue to affect students and teachers.
“A healthy school environment translates into better academic performance and stronger discipline,” he said.
He also called on principals to tighten financial accountability, saying school heads were custodians of public resources, public trust, and the future of the nation’s children.
Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (KESSHA) National Chairman Willie Kuria raised concern over the recurring wave of school unrest and arson nationally, citing the deaths of 16 girls at Utumishi Academy in Gilgil and disturbances in previously stable national schools.
“Schools must remain safe havens for learning, growth, and nurturing future generations,” Kuria said, adding that KESSHA firmly believes that problems are best resolved through engagement and dialogue rather than through destruction of property.
He called for the deployment of counselors, stronger student engagement structures, and a national task force to study the trend.
Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir said the county had carried out fire-safety assessments in 18 schools following the recent unrest and arson incidents reported across the country.
Citing a confidential survey of 30,000 students that drew 12,000 responses, Nassir said nearly a quarter of respondents reported substance use near schools, while about 76 per cent had at some point been sent home over unpaid fees.
He said the county had taken over the cost of meals in public schools under an expanded feeding programme and would deploy counselors to address rising cases of distress among students.
“We must support learners not just with food but also with counseling and protection,” Nassir said.
By Ramadhan Nasib
