Education Crisis: Schools Struggle with Sh27 Billion Budget Shortfall.
The education sector is facing a severe financial crisis due to a funding deficit of Sh27 billion across primary, junior secondary, and secondary schools.
The shortfall is expected to strain essential resources, potentially affecting teacher salaries, learning materials, and infrastructure, which could compromise the quality of education.
During a session before the Education Committee, Principal Secretary for Basic Education Belio Kipsang highlighted that these budgetary gaps pose a significant threat to nationwide learning. He warned that without additional funding, schools may struggle to operate efficiently.
For Free Day Secondary Schools, the government allocated Sh54.886 billion, but the actual requirement is Sh76.654 billion, leaving a deficit of Sh21.768 billion.
Kipsang reported that Free Day Secondary Education lacks Sh21.85 billion, as the targeted capitation funds for 3,244,325 secondary school students are set at Sh22,244 per learner, while 9,243 SNE learners require Sh50,772 per learner.
Consequently, 982,197 students risk missing out on the Free Day Secondary Education program.
This shortfall raises serious concerns about schools’ ability to cover operational costs, including infrastructure maintenance, procurement of learning materials, and salaries for teachers.
Many institutions already struggle with inadequate classrooms, libraries, and laboratories. Without urgent intervention, schools may be forced to cut critical expenses, which could further deteriorate the learning environment.
Junior Secondary Schools Strained by CBC Implementation
Junior Secondary Schools are also struggling with a funding gap, receiving Sh45.669 billion against the required Sh46.1 billion, creating a deficit of Sh4 billion. The targeted capitation funds cover 3,287,450 junior secondary school students at Sh15,042 per learner and 7,686 SNE learners at Sh50,772 per learner.
The introduction of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) has increased financial demands, requiring specialized facilities, digital learning tools, and comprehensive teacher training programs.
The lack of adequate funding could hinder the proper implementation of CBC, affecting students’ learning outcomes.
Primary education has been allocated Sh9.121 billion, falling Sh1 billion short of the Sh9.781 billion needed. This shortfall threatens essential programs such as feeding schemes, free learning materials, and teacher support.
Kipsang reported that targeted capitation is assigned to 6,569,201 primary school learners at Sh1,420 per learner, while 117,565 SNE learners receive Sh2,300 per learner.
Additionally, boarding fees for 39,056 SNE learners stand at Sh11,650 per learner. As a result, 656,512 learners are at risk of missing out on capitation funds.
Public primary schools heavily depend on these funds to run key programs. With reduced allocations, many institutions may struggle to provide adequate learning materials, which could affect education quality for younger students.
Challenges in Exam Administration
The Ministry of Education has allocated Sh12 billion for school administration in 2024, covering expenses such as KILEA and KPSEA national assessments. Additionally, a portion of this budget has been assigned to settle pending bills, with Sh1.3 billion designated for the School Feeding Programme.
However, the Kenya National Examinations Council (Knec) requires Sh3.57 billion to conduct key national exams like KCSE and KPSEA. The funding deficit threatens the execution of these assessments, which require substantial resources for printing, security, invigilation, and grading.
Any disruptions in the examination process could have severe consequences for students, particularly those preparing for their final-year tests.
The Low-Cost Boarding School Programme, which enrolls 411,000 students, is also facing financial constraints. While the budget covers breakfast, dinner, and cook salaries, the current allocation only provides Sh5 per learner per day for 180 days. Additional funds are needed to increase this to a more sustainable Sh11 per learner per day.
School feeding programs play a crucial role in increasing student attendance, particularly in disadvantaged regions. A well-fed student is more likely to focus in class and achieve better academic performance.
However, with the current budget constraints, many students may miss out on daily meals, negatively affecting their learning capabilities.
KNUT Demands Clarity on Capitation Funds Delay
The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) has urged the government to address the ongoing uncertainty regarding capitation funds. Kipkelion KNUT Executive Secretary, David Bore, expressed concern that despite the government’s assurance, schools across the country have yet to receive the promised funds.
He emphasized that the delay has put schools in a critical situation, making it impossible for them to settle their debts or pay suppliers and contractors. Bore stated that although the government frequently announces the release of capitation funds, school accounts remain empty.
He urged the government to clarify its ability to sustain the free primary and subsidized secondary education programs.
Bore further noted that while primary education is supposed to be free, school heads are being forced to request payments from parents due to financial shortfalls.
He stressed that this contradicts the government’s commitment to free education and is an unfair burden on parents. When funds are delayed for long periods, he explained, school administrators are left with no choice but to collect fees, which undermines the government’s policy.
Additionally, Bore highlighted that the reduction in school funding and unfulfilled financial commitments have left education stakeholders frustrated and disheartened.
Many schools now face mounting debts owed to suppliers and contractors, while Boards of Management teachers and other staff remain unpaid due to what he described as the government’s misleading statements.
He criticized the Ministry of Education, alleging that its officials often announce the release of funds that never actually reach schools.
Another emerging issue, he pointed out, is the recent reduction in financial allocations to schools, making it difficult for institutions to operate effectively, with some even struggling to purchase essential materials like chalk.
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Urgent Call for Government Intervention
Belio Kipsang stressed the urgent need for increased funding to prevent disruptions in learning, school operations, and national examinations. Education stakeholders, including school heads, teachers’ unions, and parents, have urged the government to prioritize education funding and ensure schools receive sufficient financial support.
KNUT warns that the prolonged delay has left teachers and other school staff unpaid for several months. The union warn that if these financial gaps are not addressed, the quality of education and the future of millions of students could be at risk.
They emphasized that immediate government intervention is necessary to bridge the shortfall before the situation deteriorates further. The Ministry of Education has called on Parliament to consider increasing budgetary allocations to meet the growing demands in the education sector.
Education Crisis: Schools Struggle with Sh27 Billion Budget Shortfall
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