The Senate Committee on Education has expressed frustration over the paltry amount of capitation funds the government disburses to special schools.
Speaking during a meeting with Education CS Ezekiel Machogu in Naivasha, the Committee led by Senator Joseph Nyutu blamed the Ministry of Education for the continued suffering of students and staff in the said institutions.
The Murang’a Senator said that it was unfair to allocate less money to educate special needs children, especially since the Ministry receives the lion’s share of the country’s annual budget.
“Since 2018, capitation fees to special schools have stagnated despite the rise in the number of students and the cost of living which has skyrocketed. It is unfair that other learning institutions get their capitation funds on time but the special schools always have to wait,” Nyutu said.
“The equipment needed by minors in these schools is expensive and we are saddened there is a perennial delay in releasing the cash,” nominated Senator Peris Tobiko chipped in.
At the same time, she regretted that a 2018 proposal by the Ministry to have the capitation funds to the schools reviewed was never submitted to the Cabinet for approval.
By Vostine Ratemo
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