KUPPET raises alarm as Gov’t owes schools over Ksh.64B

The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has sounded the alarm over delayed government disbursements, stating that the Treasury owes schools more than Ksh.64 billion in Free Day Secondary Education (FDSE) funds.

The union warns that the financial strain has left learning institutions in distress, with mounting debts to suppliers and a looming collapse of the Teachers' Medical Scheme due to unpaid bills.

Despite the disbursement of Ksh.14 billion earlier this year, KUPPET says secondary schools have not received the full amount due for the financial year, resulting in severe operational challenges.

The union adds that the government’s failure to release the remaining funds has put schools in a dire situation, forcing them to struggle with unpaid suppliers who are now unwilling to provide essential goods and services.

KUPPET Acting Secretary General Moses Nthurima, in a statement to newsrooms, at the same time noted that the delayed release of medical capitation funds has crippled healthcare services for teachers and their dependents.

According to Nthurima, the Ksh.22 billion Teachers' Medical Scheme is on the brink of collapse, with private and rural mission hospitals suspending services due to outstanding debts owed by the scheme’s underwriter.

He says only a limited number of public hospitals continue to offer medical services to teachers, further straining an already struggling system.

“Medical capitation funds were last released in September 2024 following the return-to-work formula/court consent signed between KUPPET and the Teachers Service Commission to end the industrial action by KUPPET over the scheme,” Nthurima noted.

“Regrettably, the funds released in September went to off-setting arrears for the previous two quarters – implying that hospitals have not been paid for services rendered since September 2024.”

He added: “By not properly funding the scheme, the TSC is in contempt of the consent order which obligated it to fully restore medical services to teachers. The National Treasury is equally at fault for not remitting funds that have been duly appropriated by Parliament for teachers’ medical scheme.”

In response to the crisis, KUPPET has announced plans to convene its National Governing Council (NGC) to deliberate on the next course of action.

The council will assess the financial challenges affecting schools and teachers' welfare and provide guidance on the way forward.