Government capitation to schools.In 2024, over a million secondary school students in Kenya face the possibility of missing out on government funding. This looming crisis is the result of a significant reduction of Ksh. 22 billion in the budget allocated for Free Day Secondary School Capitation in the 2023-2024 financial year.
The driving force behind this budget cut was the unexpected surge of approximately two hundred thousand candidates taking the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) examination. This increase in student numbers placed considerable pressure on the Basic Education Department, which sought additional funds to accommodate the growing demand for secondary education.
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- Basic Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang defended the request for increased funding by highlighting the challenge posed by this sudden influx of students. He presented his case to the National Assembly Education Committee led by Julius Melly. However, the committee expressed doubts about the Ministry of Education’s planning, finding it inadequate.
Government capitation to schools.In light of these budget constraints, PS Kipsang indicated that the Ministry might be unable to provide capitation funds to support the education of one million secondary school students.
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Despite a modest increase in the budget for the State Department of Basic Education, rising from Ksh. 147.8 billion to Ksh. 156.7 billion, concerns persist over a Ksh. 4 billion reduction in funding designated for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions. The need for adequate funding to sustain the ongoing education reforms in Kenya remains a topic of concern and debate among education officials.
The implications of this budget cut extend beyond the immediate future. It raises questions about the capacity of the education system to cater to the ever-increasing number of students and meet their educational needs. The potential consequences include overcrowded classrooms, inadequate resources, and limited access to quality education, particularly for those students who may miss out on capitation in 2024.
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In summary, the reduction in funding for secondary school capitation in Kenya’s 2023-2024 budget has cast a shadow over the education of a million secondary school students, highlighting the need for sustainable funding solutions to support the country’s educational growth.