Treasury Cuts Sh4.9 billion School Feeding Program Funds for Learners
The fate of millions of children who rely on the school feeding program now hangs in the balance, as the National Treasury withdrew Sh4.9 billion allocated towards the program in the proposed budget estimates for the 2024–2025 financial year.
The program, crucial in addressing food insecurity among schoolchildren, received an allocation of Sh4.9 billion in the current financial year. The Ministry of Education sought an additional Sh1 billion in the supplementary budget to boost the initiative.
The decision to scrap the program has sent shockwaves, with lawmakers fearing its adverse effects on millions of learners across the country.
Basic Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang, appearing before the National Assembly Education Committee, expressed shock over the decision, highlighting the disconnect between policymakers and the realities faced by disadvantaged communities.
He emphasized the vital role of the school feeding program in ensuring students’ success and urged the National Assembly to reinstate it.
Chairman Julius Melly of the National Assembly Education Committee commented on the government’s decision, stating that the Education Ministry is shocked by the government’s decision to eliminate the project, especially considering the earlier pledge by the Kenya Kwanza administration to expand the program to boost school attendance.
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He further questioned the rationale behind the proposal to scrap this program.
The program, initiated in 1980 in response to a severe drought, initially served 240,000 learners through collaboration between the Government of Kenya and the World Food Programme (WFP).
Today, it reaches at least 2.6 million learners in 8,185 schools nationwide and is targeting at least four million learners.
According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) Census 2019, there are an estimated 2.5 million children out of school in Kenya.
About 60 percent of these children are located in eight Asal counties, characterized by high poverty levels, low literacy levels, and other challenges.
Dr. Kipsang expressed concern over significant reductions amounting to Sh7 billion in the upcoming year’s recurrent budget, particularly affecting the junior secondary school.
If the ministry does not release more money, he warned of dire consequences in primary and secondary schools.
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He made requests for additional expenditure and reallocation, with a focus on critical areas such as school feeding and infrastructure projects.
He appealed to the committee, stating, “The Constitution gives you the powers to appropriate; please try to find favor with our request and allocate enough money to fund the education sector.”
The State Department for Basic Education Supplementary Budget Estimates FY 2023/24 noted reductions in the recurrent budget of Sh1.8 billion and the development budget of Sh2.4 billion, which have an impact on quality assurance services, scholarships, and capacity-building programs.
Treasury Cuts Sh4.9 billion School Feeding Program Funds for Learners
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