Over one million secondary school students may lose government capitation in the coming year due to a Ksh. 22 billion reduction in funding for the Free Day Secondary School Capitation in the 2023/2024 Financial Year.
The Ministry of Education faces criticism from the Julius Melly-led National Assembly Education Committee, challenging the use of increased KCPE candidates as justification for additional funding.
A looming crisis may deprive over one million secondary school learners of vital government support as a consequence of a significant funding reduction. The reduction, amounting to Ksh. 22 billion in the supplementary budget for the 2023/2024 Financial Year, affects the Free Day Secondary School Capitation.
Basic Education Principal Secretary, Belio Kipsang, faced a substantial challenge as he attempted to account for a sudden surge of approximately 200,000 KCPE candidates this year. This surge was the basis for his plea to the Julius Melly-led National Assembly Education Committee for supplementary funding dedicated to the improvement of secondary school infrastructure.
However, the committee appeared unconvinced by the department’s rationale for requesting additional funds for secondary school infrastructure development. They raised concerns over the Ministry of Education’s planning.
PS Kipsang also delivered concerning news to the committee, stating, “In this particular year, we shall not be able to finance 1 million learners in the free day secondary school.”
The Supplementary estimates increased the budget allocation for the State Department of Basic Education from Ksh. 147.8 billion to Ksh. 156.7 billion, adding Ksh. 8.9 billion. This allocation includes Ksh. 5.5 billion for JSS learners’ capitation and Ksh. 3.8 billion for school examinations and assessments.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Education expressed dissatisfaction with a Ksh. 4 billion reduction in funding allocated for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) capitation.
As educational reforms gather momentum, education officials stress that adequate financing is essential to reach the desired goals in the sector.