The Government has released KSh23 billion to public secondary schools for their capitation, ending the prolonged financial crisis which threatened to disrupt operations in the institutions.
Speaking at Henry Kosgey Kibukwo Secondary School in Tinderet Sub-county over the weekend, Education Cabinet Secretary, Ezekiel Machogu confirmed that the funds will be deposited in the schools’ accounts before the end of this week.
This comes as a relief to heads of secondary schools heads across the country who have been up in arms over delayed capitation.
The Education CS refuted the claims that the Government has slashed the allocation affirming that the release of the funds signified the State’s commitment to the education sector.
He added that the capitation for secondary schools remains at KSh22, 240 per student.
“We have not reduced the capitation. This is a constitutional matter and it is the interest of the Government that this allocation is not reduced,” he said.
CS Machogu added that the Government has made great strides in improving the quality of education in the country, pointing out the employment of 56,750 teachers last year, which he said has addressed under-staffing across the country.
According to the CS, this financial year, more funds have been set aside to employ an additional 20,000 teachers to bridge the existing gap.
He added that the Ministry of Education is in the process of addressing the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) bulk of challenges which has been facing it since its rollout.
He further said that the Government has set aside KSh3.39 billion and an additional KSh9 billion from the World Bank to construct 15,040 classrooms for grade nine by the year 2025.
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“This will address all the infrastructural gaps we have now and ensure that as our learners proceed to grade 9, they have enough classrooms,” he added.
Machogu who was accompanied by Tinderet MP Julius Melly, Emgwen MP Josses Lelmengit and Tinderet Deputy County Commissioner Esther Oyugi among other leaders promised that his Ministry will support Henry Kosgey Kibukwo Secondary School with KSh10 million to build more classrooms.
The school plans to construct a state-of-the-art tuition block which once completed will house 10 classrooms, a computer laboratory, a library and administration office.
Tinderet MP Melly lauded the Government for releasing the capitation funds saying it will go a long way in facilitating the smooth running of the education programmes in secondary schools.
He urged the ministry to strive to release the funds in time in future to ensure that learning goes on uninterrupted.
“I am in Government and I understand the challenges we have in generating revenues but let us strive to send this money in good time to facilitate smooth running of schools,” he said.
By Brian Ndigo
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