The government has released Sh. 23 billion capitation to public secondary schools ending the prolonged financial crisis which threatened to disrupt operations at the institutions.
Education Cabinet Secretary (CS) Ezekiel Machogu said the funds will be deposited in the schools’ accounts before the end of the week.
This comes as a relief to secondary school heads across the country who have been up in arms over the delay. Thus Machogu said the release of the funds signified the government’s commitment to the education sector and refuted claims that the allocations had been slashed.
The capitation for Secondary schools, he said remained Sh. 22, 240 per student adding that the government remained committed to releasing the funds to ensure success of education Programmes in the country.
“We have not reduced the capitation. This is a constitutional matter and it is in the interest of the government that this allocation is not reduced,” he said.
Speaking at Henry Kosgey Kibukwo Secondary School in Tinderet Sub-County, Machogu asked secondary school heads to ensure prudent expenditure of the funds.
The government, he added, has made great strides in improving the quality of education in the country. Furthermore, he pointed out the employment of 56,750 teachers last year which he said has greatly addressed under-staffing issues across the country.
This financial year, he said more funds have been set aside to employ an additional 20, 000 teachers to bridge existing gaps.
His Ministry, he said, was on course on the implementation of the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) with the bulk of challenges that faced its rollout addressed.
The government, he said, has set aside Sh. 3.39 billion and an additional Sh. 9 billion from the World Bank (WB) to construct classrooms for grade 9.
Through the initiative, he said, the government targets to construct 15, 040 classrooms by the year 2025.
“This will address all the infrastructural gaps we have now and ensure that as our learners proceed to grade 9 they have enough classrooms,” he said.
The CS who was flanked by Tinderet MP Julius Melly, Emgwen MP Josses Lelmengit, and Tinderet Deputy County Commissioner Esther Oyugi among other leaders said his Ministry will support Henry Kosgey Kibukwo Secondary School with Sh. 10 million to build more classrooms.
The school plans to construct a state of the art tuition block which once completed will have 10 classrooms, a computer laboratory, a library and administration office.
On his part, Tinderet MP Julious Melly lauded the government for releasing the capitation funds saying it will go a long way in facilitating the smooth running of education programmes in secondary schools.
He urged the Ministry on Education to strive to release the funds on time to ensure that learning goes on uninterrupted.
“I am in government and I understand the challenges we have in generating revenue but let us strive to send this money in good time to facilitate smooth running of schools,” he said.
By Kosuri Valarie
