𝐄𝐃𝐔𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐈𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐄 𝐃𝐄𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐒 𝐂𝐋𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐎𝐍 𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐍𝐄𝐑 𝐂𝐀𝐏𝐈𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐅𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐆𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐍𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓

𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬,

𝐖𝐞𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟏, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑

Members of the Education Committee led by Chairperson Julius Melly (Tinderet), have challenged the government to provide clear information regarding the capitation of funds to learners.

During a meeting with Education Cabinet Secretary (CS), Ezekiel Machogu and other Ministry officials, Members of the House Team expressed concerns over the lack of clarity regarding the actual amount of money disbursed to learners in both primary and secondary schools.

“On paper and in circulars by the Ministry, secondary school learners are each allocated Sh22,244. However, the amount that reaches the schools is slightly over Sh16,000. Where does the rest of the cash go?” posed the Committee chairperson

In response to these concerns, Education CS Machogu, accompanied by Principal Secretaries Belio Kipsang (Basic Education) and Beatrice Inyangala (Higher Education), acknowledged the existing challenges related to capitation.

“The major challenge we have in regards to capitation is under-funding,” said CS Machogu.

PS Belio explained on this point, cautioning that the capitation issue would persist unless the Members of Parliament intervened to ensure the Ministry receives adequate funding.

“Until we are able to adequately deal with under-funding, the challenge will persist. It’s only you Members that can sort us out,” warned the PS, who revealed that in the current financial year, the Ministry had faced a budgetary shortfall of Sh22 billion.

The Committee chairperson reassured the Ministry officials of their willingness to assist in addressing the budgetary gaps.

However, he stressed the paramount importance of transparency in communicating the exact amount of money that each learner is entitled to receive.

“We acknowledge capitation is a thorny issue, but as a Committee, we are ready to help you fill the gaps in your budget. However, what is important is for you to be honest with the schools and learners and inform them of the precise amount of money they will each receive as per your budget.”