National Treasury and Economic Planning Cabinet Secretary Njuguna Ndung’u and his Education counterpart Ezekiel Machogu are set to meet with over 7,000 Heads of Secondary Schools in Kenya to address the critical issue of refinancing education.
The talks aim to explore strategies for refinancing education to ensure sustainable and adequate funding for the country’s education system as the new financial year draws in.
Speaking at the 47th Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (KESSHA) Annual National Conference held at Sheikh Zayed Hall, Mombasa, the Chairman, William Kuria said that the critical topic to be discussed at the conference is meant to explore sustainable strategies to support educational institutions and enhance learning outcomes across the country.
The conference, themed ‘Future Pathways for Learning and Learners in Kenya’, revolves around reflecting the Principals’ commitment to shaping the educational landscape in Kenya.
Kuria highlighted the fact that this year’s capitation had fallen short, with only Sh12,000 received out of the possible Sh22,244 per student saying the shortfall has impacted the ability to effectively run schools for the year.
However, he noted that they are proactively addressing the issue as they hope to come to a permanent solution.
The chairman confirmed the attendance of the Deputy President, Rigathi Gachagua to inaugurate the conference as he emphasized the government’s commitment to advancing education. Nancy Macharia, the CEO of the Teachers Service Commission is also expected to address transformative leadership at the meet.
“In addition to these esteemed speakers, we are privileged to host several dignitaries including the Principal Secretaries for Basic Education and also the Technical and Vocational Education, the Auditor General, and other notable personalities,” Kuria said.
Kuria thanked their sponsors and exhibitors whose generous support made the conference possible, citing special thanks to KCB for their continuous sponsorship and for providing essential financial services, thus contributing significantly to the growth and development of the education sector.
“As we commence this conference, let us engage thoughtfully, share insights, and work together towards crafting effective strategies that will shape the future learning pathways in Kenya,” he noted.
The Head of SME Banking and Agribusiness from KCB Bank, Naomi Ndele applauded the strong partnership between the Bank and the Education Sector citing that as a key financial partner, they have offered different solutions over the years targeted at supporting schools in achieving their goals and enhancing the quality of education.
Ndele went on to highlight some of the solutions offered by the Bank including unsecured loans for equipment and green energy solutions like solar systems for lighting and heating water, LPG solutions for clean cooking, and water treatment solutions for purification and recycling of water. These solutions, she noted, save money and ensure a healthier environment for both staff and students.
She noted that the Bank also offers charge-free accounts for schools, tailored to facilitate seamless fee collection and operational transactions.
“KCB is dedicated to supporting the regional KESSHA forums through our decentralized regional offices and extensive branch network. This support is further strengthened by our head office function, ensuring that we are present and active in these forums across the country,” Ndele said.
By Fatma Said and Nuru Soud
