Education CS Throws Mbadi Under The Bus Over Ksh59 Billion Debt
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos claimed on Wednesday that the Treasury owes his ministry Ksh59 billion in capitation arrears, noting that the disparity was impeding learning in public schools.
CS Migos stated before the Senate on Wednesday that for nearly five years, the Ministry of Education has failed to meet the approved capitation rate for primary, junior secondary, and secondary school students.
The CS added that the Treasury’s delayed disbursement has affected 1,424 primary students, 1,542 junior secondary students, and 22,244 secondary school students, posing insurmountable challenges to the Ministry.
I have this morning appeared before the Senate session to respond to issues and questions raised by legislators on the state of the education sector in our country.
— Julius Migos Ogamba EBS (@juliusogamba_) October 30, 2024
I was accompanied by PS Basic Education, Dr. Belio Kipsang and PS University Education and Dr. Beatrice Inyangala. pic.twitter.com/EcuNVwfG9k
CS Migos also indicated that learning is affected in schools experiencing such challenges, dealing a significant blow to the performances and quality of teaching.
He stated that school administrators in the affected schools face significant challenges in ensuring the smooth operation of the educational institutions.
“When you do not give enough money to the schools, there is evidence that the quality and performance of some of the schools may fall below the required standards because it becomes very difficult for the headteachers to run the school,” he told the Senate.
In response to questions about the allocation and use of capitation funds for schools, the CS stated that the funds released by the Exchequer were not proportionate to the increasing number of enrolled students.
“The figures that are being disbursed by the Treasury against the requirement of the 100 percent transition policy are not proportional to the increasing number of students,” he added.
“The amounts have not been proportional to this number to meet the actual capitation that is given.”
The arrears spanning five fiscal years are as follows:
- Ksh3 Billion – 2018/2019 FY
- Ksh6 Billion – 2019/2020 FY
- Ksh16 Billion – 2020/2021 FY
- Ksh17 Billion – 2021/2022 FY
- Ksh17.6 Billion – 2022/2023 FY
The deficits impacted the distribution of capitation funds, with public secondary schools being the most affected.
The approved capitation rate to be provided by government for primary education is Sh1,420 per learner per year, for JSS it is Sh15, 042 per learner per year and for secondary schools it is Sh22, 244 per learner per year.
— Mzalendo (@MzalendoWatch) October 30, 2024
The Ministry has taken steps to ensure there is termly… pic.twitter.com/WFHQbe67CI
“Secondary school learners were the most affected and continuously had a deficit against their approved rate of Ksh. 22,000(per student),” CS Migos revealed.
The deficits in secondary schools were as follows:
- Ksh21,144 – 2018/2019 FY
- Ksh20,155 – 2019/2020 FY
- Ksh17,495 – 2020/2021 FY
- Ksh17,401 – 2021/2022 FY
- Ksh17,456 – 2022/2024 FY
CS Migos notes that, despite the Ministry’s change in distribution strategy to release funds more quickly, secondary school principals continue to complain about insufficient funding.
The Ministry does not provide any bursaries for basic education. The ministry only administers the Elimu scholarship which supports selected students through secondary school. Bursaries are provided through the framework of the NGCDF and the county governments. The MOE is not… https://t.co/3SLu8W1X59 pic.twitter.com/I7CzqVP3e6
— Mzalendo (@MzalendoWatch) October 30, 2024
“From the beginning of the financial year 2023/2024, capitation is now done promptly at a ratio of 50:30:20. 50 percent in the first term, 30 percent in the second term and 20 percent in the third term,” noted Migos.
“This was a move from the quarterly distribution system. Even so, when the Exchequer fails to distribute the fund in a timely manner, problems arise.“
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In early October, the Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (KESSHA) threatened to close the schools.
The impending financial crisis had jeopardized the preparation of national examinations scheduled to begin in early November.
CS Migos, on the other hand, insisted that the Ministry was adapting to the situation and reaffirmed his commitment to steering the ship through the turbulent waters of his docket.
“The financial challenge is an issue that as a Ministry we have to grapple with and see what else can be done and find solutions on where else we can efficiently run using these funds to ensure that we are able to uphold the standards that we have set,” he said.
Education CS Throws Mbadi Under The Bus Over Ksh59 Billion Debt
