The Ministry of Education continues to emphasize adherence to long-standing directives governing the use of funds under the maintenance and improvement vote head for junior schools.
According a circular from the ministry signed by the then Principal Secretary for the Basic Education, Dr. Belio Kipsang, “All Head teachers are required to transfer these funds to the school infrastructure account. The funds shall be strictly used for the following range of projects: construction and repair of classrooms, Integrated Learning Resource Centres, and sanitation facilities; procurement of chairs, desks and Integrated Learning Resource Centre stools.”
The Ministry has emphasized that all construction projects must receive approval before commencement, with different levels of authorization depending on the amount of funding received.
ALSO READ:
KNUT at the Crossroads: The Calm of Collins Oyuu or the Fire of Wilson Sossion?
Schools receiving up to Kshs.1 million will seek approval from the Sub County Director of Education, while those receiving between Kshs.1 million and Kshs.3 million will require clearance from the County Director of Education.
Institutions receiving between Kshs.3 million and Kshs.5 million must obtain approval Director of Education, and those with funding above Kshs.5 million will need authorization from the Ministry Headquarters.
The circular outlines specific conditions for approval, stating that “Request letter forwarded by the County/Sub County Director of Education; a clear statement on whether the project would be full contract or labour based accompanied by appropriate Bill of Quantities (BQ); minutes of Schools Infrastructure Committee (SIC); minutes of Board of Management (BOM); architectural/structural/electrical/mechanical drawing where applicable; bank statement showing availability of funds in the school infrastructure account; a copy of the school infrastructure Development Plan (SIDP); schools should file to the Subcounty/County Director of Education quarterly progress reports of all projects being undertaken.”
Co-funding arrangements between the Ministry and other donors have also been addressed. The guidelines stipulate that “Each of the partner will fund and supervise a complete phase of the project, which will also be audited by the funding agency. This will ensure that there is no comingling of funds.” Furthermore, any partner taking over a new phase must be furnished with an inspection report on the viability of the project from a public works structural engineer, evidence that the previous contractor has been discharged without debts, and for stalled projects, a complete assessment of its status and reasons for stalling.
ALSO READ:
Oyuu bullish of retaining KNUT leadership despite court suspending polls
Regional, county, and sub-county education officials are tasked with ensuring these directives are consistently communicated to all head teachers and Boards of Management.
By Masaki Enock
You can also follow our social media pages on Twitter: Education News KE and Facebook: Education News Newspaper for timely updates.
>>> Click here to stay up-to-date with trending regional stories
>>> Click here to read more informed opinions on the country’s education landscape
>>> Click here to stay ahead with the latest national news.
