Why Is the Government Slashing Education Funding?
The Kenyan government has officially declared that it can no longer fully finance free education in public primary and secondary schools. Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi told the National Assembly Committee on Education that the financial strain is too great, forcing a reduction in capitation per student. “If you look at the total budget for the year and divide it by the number of total students, you will see that instead of Ksh.22,000, we are funding about Ksh.16,000. And so we release 50%, then 30%, and finally 20%. As to whether it is enough, it is not,” said Mbadi.
This adjustment means that parents must now cover a greater share of their children’s education costs. The cut comes amid ongoing turbulence in the education sector, including a mounting public outcry over ghost schools and unaccounted-for funds.
What Are Lawmakers Saying About Ghost Schools?
The funding crisis has sparked heated debate in Parliament, especially following revelations by the Auditor General that public funds were channeled to non-existent schools. “Ghost schools have received money that this committee didn’t approve,” said Luanda MP Dick Maungu. Teso South MP Mary Emasse called for immediate answers: “We need a response on the ghost schools. We have serious concerns with what has been presented.” Igembe North MP Julius Taitumu questioned the oversight, asking, “You have directors in the ministry, how can ghost schools just get money just like that?”
Education CS Migos Ogamba responded firmly: “If money went to schools that do not exist, that is a criminal offence. Nobody can defend that. If it happened, the matter will be handed over to the DCI.”
The Kenya Education Management Information System (KEMIS), designed to track enrollment and manage capitation, also came under scrutiny. “Many students are not receiving capitation according to actual enrollment because of KEMIS. And TVETs alone are carrying a Ksh.12.5 billion,” said Baringo North MP Joseph Makilap. CS Ogamba acknowledged the problem, saying, “The ministry is currently developing the system to ensure efficiency.”
Despite the funding challenges, the Ministry of Education has announced plans to hire 24,000 intern teachers this financial year. Still, with reduced capitation and growing accountability issues, Kenyan parents face a difficult road ahead when it comes to affording education for their children.
By Lucky Anyanje