Government allocation to education sector not enough, expert warns. Education law expert Kennedy Echesa has warned that the finances given to the education sector is very low.
Speaking on Citizen TV’s Day Break program, Echesa cited the government’s 100 per cent transition policy. The policy stated that every child should continue with their education irrespective of their academic excellence.
He argued that the policy has increased demand in the education sector. He also said that the government has not yet matched it despite its several declarations about increased funding.
“The government and the Education Ministry are living a lie. We have an increased demand for education. With the 100% transition policy, the government is telling us they have increased funding to the education sector,” said Echesa.
His concerns came in the wake of fears by secondary school heads across the country. They claimed that normal school operations are going to be affected due to late funding.
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In a meeting in Mombasa last month, the school heads challenged the government to increase the allocation per child. This is in an attempt to match the changing economic realities.
The ministry however said the issue of funding for not just secondary education but the entire sector will be better handled. This is because the government has allocated more funds this financial year, from 25 per cent of the budget to 29 per cent, with Ksh.628 billion set aside.
Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu assured them that the government has allocated sufficient funds to this financial year’s plans.
Echese also added that the government usually fails to keep its word.
“What we allocate to the education sector is not enough. The problem comes when that which is not even enough does not even reach the schools,” said the expert.
“Capitation is now placed at Ksh.22,400, which the ministry has raided by making Ksh.5,000 conditional for infrastructure, leaving the school with around Ksh.15,000. The government has also retained money for things they do not account for like textbooks,” he added.
His sentiments echo what the school heads complained about the previous week. (KESSHA) Chairperson Indimuli Kahi said the Ksh. 22,444 the government gives each student in high school as a capitation is not enough. Besides, the funds comes late and is not paid in full.
Government allocation to education sector not enough, expert warns.
“We don’t even get 100% of the Ksh. 22,000, there was a balance of Ksh. 4,000 last year, this year we have received Ksh. 17,000, and we need the balance,” Kahi said then.
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The schools insist that the delay in disbursement and the payment of fees by the parents is taking a toll on not just learning in schools but other attendant activities, such as sports, drama and arts.
“Kisumu County has made it clear that only one school will proceed to the regional level, while it is supposed to be three schools. In Kakamega, schools have been forced to cater for their activities, where will they get these funds?” he posed.
School heads not only want the government to release the funds in full and on time but to also increase the capitation per child.
“We propose that the Ministry of Education considers increasing the capitation from the current figure of Ksh.22, 244 we had proposed last year to Ksh.30,000,” Kahi said last week.
Government allocation to education sector not enough, expert warns.