By Roy Hezron
The government will spent a total of Sh237 million on the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms (PWPER) which is tasked to review the country’s education sector and in particular the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
This was revealed in the Ministry of Education’s State Department for Basic Education report which was submitted to the parliamentary departmental committee on education and research in February 2023.
According to the report, the state department received a total of Sh237,140,000 to carter for expenditure by the 49-member PWPER.
The report which was further meant to familiarise the legislators with ministries, departments and agencies and consideration of supplementary budget estimates for 2022/2023 financial year further indicated that the date of first withdrawal of the total allocated amount was on December 15, 2022.
“The State Department received Ksh 237 Million under Temporary Committee Expenses to facilitate the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms. The funds cater for the Party’s expenditure for 6 months ending March 2023,” read the report.
President Dr. William Ruto gazetted the members of the Education taskforce on September 29, 2022 which is led by Prof. Raphael Munavu, as Chairperson.
Other members appointed to the taskforce include: Prof. David Some, Dr. Halima Saado Abdilahi , Dr. Ciriaka Gitonga, Purity Mbaabu, Dr. Edward Katue Nzinga, Ms. Virginia Wahome, Robert Juma Wamalwa, Charles Kyalo Mutinda, Prof. Gitahi Kiama, Anthony Cheruiyot Sitienei, Bishop Geffrey Waweru Gichoki.
Rev. Seline Chepngeno Ronoh, Prof. Laila Abubakar, Daniel Otieno Randa, John Kamiti Munyua, Prof. Paul Wainaina, Ms. Kasanga Mutheu, Ms. Margaret W Chege, Prof. James Kanya, Ms. Salome Eyangan, Prof. Wiston Akala, Peter Mokaya Tabichi, Ms. Jane Kimiti, Kizito Wangalwa, Ms. Augusta Mwihaki Muthigani, Prof. Peter Barasa, Dr. Ahmed Yussuf, Jone Mose, Prof. Hassan Mwakimako, Ms. Lynette Mwende Ndile, Dr. Wilson Kogo, Prof. Stephen Mbugua Ngari, Paul Lilan.
Dr. Richard Githinji, Prof. Collins Odote, Dr. Jane Imbunya, Ms. Jacinta Ngure, Dr. Jerono P. Rotich, Ms. Subira Neema, Bernard Kariuki Njoroge, and Prof. Peter Njenga Keiyoro.
The Secretaries to taskforce will be Dr. Elyas Addi, Ms. Patita Tingoi, Dr. David Njegere, Prof. Jackson Too, Dr. Reuben Nthamburi Mugwuku, Richard Miano and Ms. Eunice Gachoka.
The working party will have six months to complete their work, issue H.E the President with a progress report every two months from the date of formation and a final report at the end of term.
It will also invite and consider views from sector stakeholders and members of the public; hold such number of meetings in the places and at such times as it shall consider necessary for the proper discharge of its functions; raise additional funding to defray its costs; and regulate its own procedure.
