Schools and Universities Await Crucial Funds Amid Govt Delays in Billions for Education
With only three weeks left in the current financial year, the government has yet to remit billions of shillings allocated for various education programmes, complicating operations and service delivery in the education sector.
This delay affects secondary schools, technical and vocational education and training (Tvet) institutions, and universities, with only primary schools having received the expected funds.
Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu, during the launch of the 2023-2027 National Education Sector Strategic Plan at the Kenya School of Government in Kabete, reported that 50% of the capitation had been disbursed to schools so far, with plans to release another 30% this term and the remaining 20% in the third term.
He assured that there were no issues with university funding and additional funds would be released before the end of the year. However, administrators from these institutions contested these figures.
HELB Reports Significant Funding Shortfall
On Tuesday, the CEO of the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB ), Charles Ringera, informed the National Assembly Committee on Education that the higher education sub-sector is owed Sh29 billion in unremitted funding for the current financial year.
He mentioned that Higher Education Principal Secretary Beatrice Inyangala is addressing the issue with the National Treasury.
Ringera revealed that Helb received Sh30.2 billion from the Exchequer for student loans but still requires an additional Sh6.7 billion.
Universities and Tvet Institutions Await Crucial Funds
Additionally, the Universities Fund has not yet remitted Sh16.5 billion to universities, comprising Sh7.9 billion for first-year scholarships under the new higher education model and Sh8.6 billion for grants to continuing students.
Tvet institutions are owed Sh4.2 billion in first-year scholarships and Sh1.6 billion in grants for continuing students.
Dr. Inyangala highlighted that the delays in scholarship and loan disbursements have caused significant operational disruptions and financial strain in higher learning institutions, impacting the quality of education and overall operations.
Secondary Schools Dispute Capitation Figures
Willy Kuria, chair of the Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association, disputed Machogu’s claim that schools received 50% of the capitation in the first term, stating that it was slightly over Sh8,000 per student and only covered tuition, not infrastructural development.
Many schools have had to rehabilitate infrastructure damaged by floods, including classrooms and sanitation facilities.
Machogu mentioned that Members of Parliament received Sh18 million each last week from the National Government Constituency Development Fund for emergency school infrastructure development.
Primary Schools Receive Expected Funding
The government allocates Sh22,244 per learner under the Free Day Secondary Education (FDSE) and Sh1,420 per learner under the Free Primary Education programme.
However, FDSE funding has dropped to about Sh17,000 per learner due to increased enrolment not matched by budgetary allocations and Exchequer releases.
Johnson Nzioka, chair of the Kenya Primary Schools Heads Association, confirmed that primary schools have received the 50% disbursement.
Plans for New Classrooms and Future Funding Gaps
Machogu also announced plans to construct between 16,000 and 18,000 classrooms to accommodate Grade 9 learners in junior school, with Sh3.5 billion already released for the construction of 3,500 classrooms to be completed in four months.
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The government aims to spend Sh5.02 trillion on education programmes over the next five years but anticipates raising only Sh3.47 trillion, leaving a funding gap of Sh1.55 trillion, which Machogu expects to cover through development partners and household contributions.
The 2023-2027 National Education Sector Strategic Plan indicates the State Department for Higher Education has the highest deficit at Sh932.1 billion, followed by the State Department for Basic Education with Sh388.2 billion, the Teachers Service Commission with Sh174 billion, and the State Department for TVET with a shortfall of Sh25.8 billion.
Schools and Universities Await Crucial Funds Amid Govt Delays in Billions for Education
