Since Kenya Kwanza government took power in September of 2022, Education sector in Kenya has seen drastic changes with increment in budgetary allocation to cater for learners’ needs.

The 2023/24 budget allocated Ksh628.6 billion, taking the largest share in the budget. The huge allocation sought to meet the demands of the new Competent Based Curriculum (CBC).

However, the government has failed to fully disburse the much needed funds to schools forcing schools heads to send children home for school fees.

Principal Secretary State Department for Basic Education  Belio Kipsang said the government has released 25 percent of the money that is allocated for secondary schools.

Kipsang told National Assembly’s Committee that they are “releasing up to 25 percent of the outstanding capitation amount owed to secondary schools.”

This will translate to 50 percent of the total amount required to be disbursed to aid smooth learning in schools.

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Azimio Demands

Azimio members of parliament has criticized the government for failing to remit funds to schools yet the schools are about to close for April holiday.

The legislators led by Uguja MP and leader of minority Opiyo Wandayi faulted ministry of education for slow disbursement of funds saying that it’s a shame to the nation.

Wandayi said, “ the present state of affairs in our schools is a great shame to this nation,”  adding that “schools will resort to provision of compromised basic education which will have incalculable ramification on standards of education in Kenya and the future of Kenyan children.”

Wandayi said the government is not “committed” to foster education sector in the country.

School heads and Education ministry

While the tradition of sending learners back home for fees is a common in Kenyan schools, the ministry of education has been cautioning school principals against it saying they will be meted with punishment.

However, the meager disbursement of fund to schools put the schools heads in a difficult situation, described by Kenya Union of Teachers (KNUT) Secretary General Collins Oyuu as “pathetic situation.”

Oyuu had called on government to “check on timely capitation to schools so that learners can remain in schools so that [schools] heads are not seen as biased,” adding that at times they are pushed to the wall.