Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok has announced that 3,000 public schools have received their third-term capitation after their enrolment data was verified as accurate.
“So far, 3,000 schools have been able to receive capitation after being verified to have the correct data on the correct number of students that are in schools,” Bitok stated.
Speaking at Machakos Teachers Training College, where the verification exercise is currently underway, the PS assured schools that funds would be released progressively.
“We are anticipating that by next week, end of next week, all of our 32,000 schools will have received their money,” he added.
The Ministry of Education has directed all public schools to submit updated data on student enrolment as a condition for accessing government funding. Nearly all of the 32,000 schools have complied, with education officials working through the weekend to verify the submissions.
Bitok defended the verification exercise as necessary to safeguard public funds. “We had no option but to verify the data to ensure that every shilling reaches the correct school and the right learner. This is about accountability to the Kenyan child and to the nation,” he explained.
He noted that secondary schools are leading in compliance, followed by junior schools, while primary schools are lagging behind due to internet and technology challenges.
As an example, Bitok cited Masi Boys High School in Machakos County, which he confirmed had already received full capitation.
“I am very pleased that when we visited Masi, the principal confirmed that the funds had been credited to the school account and that operations will now run smoothly,” he noted.
The ministry has extended the submission deadline to Friday, September 12, 2025, to give schools that have yet to comply more time. Bitok warned principals and county supervisors who fail to submit accurate data in the required format that they risk severe penalties.
