Education Sector Faces Crisis as Budget Cuts Loom.
Kenya’s education sector faces uncertainty after President William Ruto decided to drop the Finance Bill 2024. Treasury CS Njuguna Ndung’u warned that a Sh200 billion cut threatens vital projects and initiatives. This situation highlights the urgent need for sustainable funding solutions to ensure every child’s education is secure.
President Ruto announced, “I will not sign the 2024 Finance Bill; the bill will be withdrawn.” It is critical to note that this decision marks a significant shift in his stance on education funding, casting doubt on many planned projects and initiatives.
The government initially planned substantial allocations for various education-related projects. For example, they allocated Sh800 million for ongoing TVETs and TTIs projects. Additionally, they designated Sh2.1 billion for the Differentiated Unit Cost model in universities and Sh3.2 billion for the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB). Furthermore, they set aside Sh3.0 billion for university infrastructure projects, Sh1.6 billion for primary and secondary school infrastructure, and Sh1.8 billion for the school feeding program.
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However, the proposed budget reductions, resulting from amendments to the now-withdrawn Appropriations Finance Bill 2024, jeopardize these plans. President Ruto explained, “Part of the money we were going to raise from the Finance Bill was Sh10 billion for fertilizer subsidies and Sh18 billion for confirming 46,000 Junior Secondary School teachers to a permanent and pensionable basis.” Consequently, the hiring of 20,000 new interns and the conversion of 26,000 existing interns to permanent positions is now in jeopardy.
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“Education is the greatest equalizer. No child in Kenya should go to a school where there are no adequate teachers. In this Bill, we had committed to hiring an extra 20,000 teachers,” Ruto emphasized.
Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro warned of the dire consequences if the Bill does not pass. “If the Finance Bill does not pass, the TSC will lose Sh18 billion in the appropriation, making teachers the first casualty. State House faces a Sh500 million cut, the Office of the President another Sh500 million, Security a Sh7.75 billion cut, and the government will not employ JSS teachers permanently. MPs who voted against it should explain to Kenyans,” Nyoro stated.
Education Sector Faces Crisis as Budget Cuts Loom.
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