Increase Budgetary Allocations on Education: Teacher Unions Say.
Teacher and lecturer unions have made recommendations to the government to increase budgetary allocations to the education sector. According to the unions, current budgetary allocations are insufficient and late disbursement of funds hinder effective delivery of services in institutions of learning.
The teacher unions form a representation of education stakeholders from the lowest to the highest levels of learning. They hold that the government should review its framework for allocation in order to eliminate privatization and commercialization in the education sector.
This year, the education sector has received a budgetary allocation of Ksh. 628 billion. It is important to note that this is just 17% of the overall budget.
Among the teachers unions involved in the proposal include KNUT, KUPPET, and UASU. The unions argue that the allocation is not sufficient and should be raised to 30%. In reference to the current budget, this represents Ksh. 1 trillion.
According to Constantine Wasonga, the Secretary General UASU, the government should release capitation to institutions to enable them conduct their business as usual.
Similarly, the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms (PWPER), in its report, recommends a marginal increase in the financial allocations that primary and secondary schools receive. However, education stakeholders find this proposal too minimal.
KNUT on the other hand recommends an increase in school funding from the current Ksh. 1170 per student to Ksh. 5000.
In addition, it also seeks an increase in funding for Junior Secondary School learners from the current Ksh. 15544 to Ksh. 22000 per year.
The union also recommends an increase in capitation for secondary schools to Ksh. 35000 per year.
University lecturers union leaders have raised concerns on the implementation of the new funding model.
Read also: TSC on the Munavu Recommendations
According to the leaders, even though the new model seeks to address socioeconomic differences in society, its implementation is premature.
The UASU treasurer, Janepha Kumba argues that first year university students are in institutions of higher learning with no money. He indicates that all education stakeholders need to be concerned.
In addition, Early Childhood Education teachers want the Teachers Service Commission to adopt all ECD teachers to promote standardization of employment and prevent employment discrimination that is rampant in counties.
Increase Budgetary Allocations on Education: Teacher Unions Say.