Education Reforms Stalled by Funding Shortages in Kenya
One year after President William Ruto launched education sector reforms, the plan to enhance funding for primary and secondary schools remains stalled. These reforms, detailed in a report by the Presidential Working Party on Education Reform (PWPER), were handed to Dr. Ruto on August 2, 2023. Despite the President’s directive for immediate implementation, significant delays plague the ambitious plan to review school funding. Stakeholders continue to express frustration over the persistent underfunding.
“The recommendation to increase funding to schools is long overdue,” said Collins Oyuu, Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) secretary general. “Like the changes in university funding, this should have been prioritized.”
The PWPER report proposed a secondary level of funding to cover day-to-day school operations. The late President Mwai Kibaki initiated Free Primary Education (FPE) in 2003, setting it to receive increased funding. Despite allocating Ksh 1,420 per learner for 20 years, President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration never reviewed this amount. The proposed reforms suggest increasing this amount by Ksh 818, bringing it to Ksh 2,238 per learner.
Additionally, the new funding model proposes a review every three years. Junior Secondary School learners would receive Ksh 15,043 each, while Senior Secondary School students would get Ksh 22,527. Schools would also receive extra funds for administrative activities.
Follow us on X: Education Point Kenya.
The Kenya Kwanza administration committed to providing a flat-rate fund for schools. This fund, called the minimum essential package, varies by school level. Specifically, this package includes Ksh 70,200 for pre-primary, Ksh 536,880 for primary education, Ksh 1,632,120 for junior school, Ksh 1,890,000 for senior school, and Ksh 2,060,940 for special needs education.
“If we had implemented the recommendations of the presidential working party, we would have addressed the school funding mess,” said Willy Kuria, chairman of the Kenya Secondary School Heads Association. According to Kuria, schools are struggling because the government has failed to provide the promised Free Day Secondary Education funds. “We have been receiving Ksh 17,000 as capitation for the past five years, which has slowed down many activities,” Kuria added.
Read also:
- MPs Consider Ending Bursary Disbursements After Gen Z Criticism
- Kenyan Teachers Push for Faster Visa Process for US Jobs
- Crisis Looms Over Budget Cuts on Exam and Invigilation Fees
- Intense Debate Erupts Over Placement of Grade Nine Students as Transition Approaches
Due to this shortfall, some principals have resorted to increasing fees beyond the Ministry of Education’s set amounts, burdening parents and guardians. Primary school heads also warn about the fragile state of the Free Primary Education programme. Johnson Nzioka, chairman of the Kenya Primary School Heads Association, revealed that the government has only funded primary schools for the first term this year. This funding shortfall persists even as the second term nears its end.
“This means the institutions have not received funding for the second term, even as they prepare to close for the August holiday,” Nzioka said.
In June, the government disbursed Ksh 36 billion in capitation funds for the second term of this academic year. Specifically, these funds supported free day secondary, free primary, and free day junior secondary school programmes. Notably, the government allocated Ksh 19 billion to secondary schools under the free day secondary education programme. Additionally, junior secondary schools received Ksh 14 billion, while primary schools got Ksh 2.74 billion.
As the academic year progresses, the underfunding issue remains a significant challenge for Kenyan schools. However, implementing the PWPER recommendations could alleviate these struggles and provide the necessary support for primary and secondary education.
Education Reforms Stalled by Funding Shortages in Kenya.
Check for Daily Updates
Follow us on Telegram