CS Ogamba Urges Schools to Keep Learners Despite Fee Arrears.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has appealed to primary and secondary school head teachers to avoid sending learners home over unpaid fees.
He emphasized that the government is in the process of disbursing an additional Ksh14 billion to schools, with the remaining amount expected to reach school accounts in the coming weeks.
Addressing the press on Thursday morning at Jogoo House, Nairobi, Ogamba attributed the delays in disbursement to budgetary constraints but assured administrators of the government’s commitment to resolving the issue.
He urged school leaders to exercise patience, noting that sending learners home would create undue stress for parents. Ogamba reassured that the government is working tirelessly to ensure the availability of resources.
The Education CS’s remarks followed threats from school heads to halt learning activities if the government failed to release the remaining capitation funds. On Tuesday, January 28, education stakeholders criticized the government for not fulfilling its pledge to disburse the funds by the end of January.
The Ministry of Education had recently released Ksh19 billion for basic education. However, stakeholders argued that the amount was insufficient to sustain learning activities.
Kisumu Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) representative David Obuom pointed out that the Ksh19 billion disbursed last week did not include funding for the construction of Junior Secondary School classrooms.
He warned that the inadequate funding might compel school heads to organize demonstrations, potentially disrupting the current school calendar.
Infrastructure and Supplier Challenges
Obuom also highlighted that suppliers working on school infrastructure projects had not received their payments, leaving critical tasks unfinished. He questioned how schools could proceed without the necessary financial support.
This situation has raised concerns about the smooth running of learning activities and the timely completion of essential infrastructure projects.
Read Also: Govt Releases Ksh14 Billion Capitation After Schools Fired Staff
Meanwhile, Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura supported Ogamba’s sentiments, confirming that the National Treasury had released Ksh14 billion more towards school capitation on Wednesday.
Mwaura reassured school heads that the outstanding Ksh15 billion would also be released soon, ensuring the financial stability of schools.
CS Ogamba’s appeal underscores the government’s efforts to address funding challenges in the education sector while urging stakeholders to collaborate for the benefit of learners.
CS Ogamba Urges Schools to Keep Learners Despite Fee Arrears.
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