The promise of free secondary education is facing a serious test after government failed to release K11 billion to schools on time—leaving many struggling just as the new term has already begun.
Principal Secretary Ken Ndala
The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology admits the money for the third term of the 2025/26 academic year has not yet reached schools, even though classes opened on April 20. Principal Secretary Ken Ndala says Treasury has now released the funds and payments are expected this week, blaming delays on the start of the new financial year and administrative processes.
But on the ground, the situation is already affecting learning.
The Secondary School Teachers Union says schools have been struggling to buy essential supplies because they have no money. Its president, Pilirani Kapolo, confirmed that by last week, most education divisions had not started sending funds to schools.
Education groups warn that these delays are not just administrative—they have real consequences. Civil Society Education Coalition executive director Benedicto Kondowe says late funding disrupts planning and hits vulnerable learners the hardest.
This is happening despite government setting aside significant resources in the 2026/27 National Budget, including K31.7 billion for free secondary education and K15.9 billion for free primary education. An additional K11.3 billion was allocated for examinations and student identity cards.
The free secondary education policy, introduced on January 1, 2026, was meant to ease the burden on families and expand access to education. However, delays in funding are now raising doubts about how smoothly the programme can run.
For many schools, the issue is simple: free education cannot work without timely funding. And as students sit in classrooms, the big question remains—how long can the system function when the money arrives late?
