The government has announced that funding for learners in public primary schools will increase by 58 per cent, raising the allocation to Ksh2,238 per pupil.
Currently, the government provides Ksh1,420 per primary school learner to cover tuition and operational costs. Basic Education Director-General Elyas Abdi, in a televised interview, confirmed that official communication has been issued stating that capitation for primary learners will now rise to Ksh2,238.
The move comes amid rising concerns from education experts that the amount is still too low to meet the demands of the growing cost of living and the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
The Elimu Bora Working Group welcomed the decision but cautioned that the amount remains inadequate.
“That is a good intention, but should be implemented on the interim as a unit cost analysis is done so that what’s provided for learners is adequate,” said the group’s Policy and Strategy Advisor, Boaz Waruku.
ALSO READ:
TVET PS bags two prestigious awards for exemplary leadership in Public Service
The increase follows recommendations from the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms, established by President William Ruto, which suggested revising the primary school capitation to Ksh2,238 to reflect the demands of the Competency-Based Curriculum.
Waruku, however, argued that the recommendations should have been implemented sooner and stressed that inflation has eroded the value of the new allocation.
The announcement however remains in limbo as the Kenya Kwanza administration has struggled to fully release capitation funds, citing limited fiscal space. Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi recently told Parliament that delays in disbursement occur because the allocated budget is lower than anticipated.
By Juma Ndigo
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
