Secondary schools last week received capitation funds totalling Sh16 billion, Education CS Ezekiel Machogu has revealed.

As more than 1.2 million learners report to Form 1 this week, secondary schools can now run activities with the funds.

Machogu was overseeing Form 1 admission at St Georges Girls where he warned school heads against charging parents unapproved levies.

“Last week we disbursed Sh16 billion which went to public secondary schools,” Machogu said.

Secondary school students receive Sh22, 444 for every student while primary schools receive Sh1420.

Machogu said primary schools also received capitation for Grade 1-6 and Class 8 learners.

“We also sent money to primary schools which per pupil is Sh1420, we sent Sh4 billion to primary schools,” he said.

However, on Sunday, President William Ruto said the government has disbursed Sh36 billion capitation and distributed books to schools.

“We have released about Sh36 billion to ensure that all our children get everything in school books, teachers and all those other things that are needed for the learning are ready,” he said.

But on Monday Machogu said secondary schools have received Sh16 billion, and primary schools Sh4 billion.

The total capitation sent to schools by now is Sh20 billion, even though it’s not clear if Ruto had combined university students’ loans in his calculations.

On Friday, Machogu said the government had released funds towards supporting university students’ loans.

"I wish to announce that the National Treasury and Economic Planning has released Sh2.7 billion for 180,000 eligible students," Machogu said.

All these amounts summed up only bring the speculated figure to Sh22.7 billion and not Sh36 billion, as said by Ruto.

But primary schools will have to wait before they receive capitation for Grade 7 learners.

Machogu said primary schools are still computing data on enrolled students.

"Once we get the necessary information of those able to register in junior secondary we will send the money," Machogu said.

Primary schools are set to receive Sh15,042 as capitation for every Grade 7 learner.

"Any time from now when we get the information we require we will send the money to all Junior Secondary Schools," he said.

He clarified that the ministry has not increased school fees for public county schools.

The CS warned school heads from charging parents unapproved levies.

"The fees were set in 2017 by Kilemi Mwiria taskforce which set the amount for national and extra county schools," he said.

In December the government scrapped the education subsidy which was occasioned by a shorter school calendar.

According to a circular from the ministry, parents will pay Sh53,554 for national schools, as was before the reduction.

But this year, children in national and extra-county schools will pay  Sh53,554, up from the current Sh45,054.

Learners in county and subcounty boarding secondary schools will be required to part with Sh40,535 per year, up from Sh 35,000.

Parents of learners in day schools will continue to pay lunch fees as the government will continue settling their Sh22,400 tuition fee and other expenses.