Education Sectors Facing Risk from Budget Cuts: Implications
The decision by President William Ruto to withdraw the Finance Bill 2024 has cast a shadow over Kenya’s education sector.
Treasury CS Njuguna Ndung’u warned that Sh200 billion cuts threaten to derail crucial projects and initiatives aimed at providing a better learning environment for children and securing the future of education in the country.
This situation highlights the urgent need for sustainable funding solutions to ensure that no child’s education is compromised due to financial constraints.
President’s Decision and Its Implications
President Ruto announced his decision to not sign the 2024 Finance Bill, marking a significant shift in his stance on education funding.
This move leaves many education projects and initiatives in uncertainty. Initially, the government had planned substantial allocations for various education-related projects:
- Sh800 million for ongoing TVETs and TTIs projects
- Sh2.1 billion for the Differentiated Unit Cost model in universities
- Sh3.2 billion for the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)
- Sh3.0 billion for university infrastructure projects
- Sh1.6 billion for primary and secondary school infrastructure
- Sh1.8 billion for the school feeding program
Threatened Initiatives
The proposed budget reductions, necessitated by the amendments to the now-withdrawn Appropriations Finance Bill 2024, have put these plans at risk.
President Ruto indicated that part of the money intended to be raised from the Finance Bill was Sh10 billion for fertilizer subsidies and Sh18 billion for confirming 46,000 Junior Secondary School teachers to a permanent and pensionable basis.
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Additionally, the hiring of 20,000 new interns and converting 26,000 existing interns to permanent positions is now in jeopardy.
Ruto emphasized the importance of ensuring no child in Kenya goes to a school without adequate teachers and committed to hiring an extra 20,000 teachers in the Bill.
Political Reactions and Consequences
Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro warned of the dire consequences if the Bill is not passed, noting that teachers will be the first casualties as the TSC will lose Sh18 billion in the appropriation.
He pointed out that State House is facing a Sh500 million cut, the Office of the President another Sh500 million, Security a Sh7.75 billion cut, and JSS teachers will not be employed permanently. Nyoro urged MPs who voted against the Bill to explain the situation to Kenyans.
Education Sectors Facing Risk from Budget Cuts: Implications
