This archive report was first published on 6 August 2020.
As schools prepare to reopen in January, the government has released funds to run schools and pay teachers hired by boards of management and subordinate employees.
According to several secondary school principals, the Treasury has deposited Sh3,725 per learner to their operations account and a shilling into the tuition account.
"The funds have already reflected in the National Education Management Information System," a principal said.
The Ministry of Education has allocated Sh497.5 billion in the 2020/21 financial year budget, with Sh59.4 billion expected to go to free secondary education and Sh12.4 billion for free primary education.
Some Sh2.1 billion will be used to build additional classrooms for secondary schools and Sh6.5 billion to hire teachers and improve infrastructure.
Prof George Magoha, the Cabinet Secretary for Education, told lawmakers that funds have been set aside for school operations and that he has sought approval from the Treasury for money to expand and equip schools ahead of reopening.
"We are ready to consider all options for learning to continue if the coronavirus infection curve flattens tomorrow," he said.
However, Prof Magoha maintained that schools would only reopen for face-to-face instruction when there is a consistent daily decline of Covid-19 infections for at least two weeks.
