Nairobi, April 5 -- Heads of secondary schools have explained why they closed schools a week earlier than the scheduled education calendar.

Barely a week after the government disbursed Sh16 billion capitation grants under the Free Day Secondary School education programme, the principals say the money was insufficient.

Through their Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association, the principals say they have an acute deficit which makes schools unable to procure adequate learning materials, pay staff salaries, pay existing debts, submit third-party deductions, payment of bills including water and electricity.

"That is why we have closed schools as early as possible. But the situation is critical in day schools because they fully depend on ca...