The Ministry of Education has released Ksh.21.8 billion to all public institutions ahead of the school reopening set for Monday, August 26, 2024.

In a statement to newsrooms on Saturday, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba said that the release of the funds will facilitate a seamless resumption of school activities in the new term.

He directed school heads to ensure the funds are used accordingly to benefit the students, warning them against imposing any unauthorised fees.

“As a ministry, we will deal firmly with any verified cases of misappropriation of resources and the imposition of unauthorised levies,” he stated.

In a breakdown, the free primary education received Ksh.1.6 billion, free day Junior School education (Ksh.6.1 billion) and free day secondary education (Ksh.14.1 billion). 

The release of the funds comes amid a looming nationwide teachers’ strike that threatens to paralyse learning as it is scheduled on Monday when schools are set to reopen for third term.

Despite talks with the government, the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) and Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) officials have insisted that the strike is on and urged teachers to stay away from schools on Monday.

On the other hand, CS Ogamba has urged the teachers to put the students’ interests first and call off the strike before schools reopen.

“We are aware the unions and TSC are in negotiations, we are certain that both parties will come to an agreement before the schools reopen,” he said during a conference in Mombasa held this week.

“I don’t think we have much choice because this is an examination term. I don’t think anyone can joke about the exams of our children.”

Some of the grievances raised by teachers include implementing the signed Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), promotion of teachers, placing teachers to permanent and pensionable terms and employing additional teachers.