The Ministry of Education has begun a major clean-up of the Basic Education sector after an audit found that 2,145 public primary schools failed to meet the required minimum enrolment of 45 learners.
The findings, which also revealed ten schools with no students at all, have exposed widespread data manipulation and wastage of government resources meant for capitation.
The verification exercise was launched to establish the true number of operational schools and actual learners receiving government support.
Education Principal Secretary Julius Ogamba said the Ministry was forced to act after the Auditor-General raised concerns over non-existent schools receiving public funds.
“The Office of the Auditor-General reported that some schools that had received capitation from the Ministry were non-existent. Following this, we launched a comprehensive verification exercise to determine the actual number of schools and learners,” he said.
Ogamba noted that the Ministry will henceforth release funding only to schools whose enrolment data has been verified to prevent misuse of resources.
During the third-term disbursement, the Ministry sought Sh1.65 billion from the National Treasury based on 5.8 million learners in 23,889 primary schools. Of this, Sh1.36 billion has been paid to 4.8 million learners in verified institutions.
According to the report, 16,788 schools with 4.29 million learners received Sh1.22 billion after full verification. Another 3,979 schools with smaller enrolments—below 90 learners—also qualified for full payment amounting to Sh66.8 million.
However, 3,065 schools that failed to submit accurate data were given only 50 per cent of their allocation, translating to Sh79.7 million for 280,900 learners based on data from the National Education Management Information System (NEMIS).
For Junior Schools, the Ministry had initially planned funding for 2.43 million learners in 20,927 schools, totalling Sh5.7 billion. After verification, Sh5.13 billion was approved for 2.94 million learners in 20,630 schools.
“This amount includes Sh78.2 million paid for 56,599 learners in 2,145 schools that are below the threshold, and Sh122.4 million paid to 934 schools at 50 per cent of their allocation pending verification,” Ogamba explained.
He added that 934 schools are still under review due to missing or erroneous data. The Ministry’s field officers have been directed to ensure that all schools provide accurate and up-to-date enrolment figures before the next funding cycle.
The secondary school audit was also concluded, revealing that ten schools were operating without any learners despite having received previous allocations.
“The verification for secondary schools is complete. An enrolment of 3.2 million learners has been cleared, and Sh10.09 billion disbursed. Out of 9,550 schools that were processed, 9,540 were funded, while ten schools have been closed down after being found with no learners,” Ogamba stated.
Those closed include Kiria Secondary in Nyandarua, Ragia Forest High in Kiambu, Mugwandi Mixed in Kirinyaga, Friends Bulovi in Kakamega, Ngamba Secondary in Murang’a, Dr Machage Moheto in Migori, Loiwat High and Maji Mazuri Mixed in Baringo, Sintakara Secondary in Narok, and Fr. Leo Staples Girls in West Pokot.
The Ministry says it will strengthen data audits and school monitoring to curb financial losses caused by falsified enrolments and non-operational institutions.
