Gov't disburses Ksh.31B for education ahead of school reopening

The National Treasury has released Ksh.31.34 billion in capitation ahead of schools’ reopening next week.

In a statement released by State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohammed, the government has disbursed the funds to the State department for education.

Ksh.4.74 billion was disbursed to the State Department for Basic Education towards the facilitation of free primary education for Term 1.

Additionally, the State department was given Ksh.7.6 billion as capitation for Junior Secondary Schools.

The National Treasury has also disbursed Ksh.2.8 billion to cater for school examination and invigilation costs, while Ksh.16.2 billion will go towards financing free day secondary schools in the first term.

Schools will open for term one learning on January 8, 2024 for 13 weeks and close on April 5, 2024.

The opposition had threatened to move to court to compel the government to release the full capitation to schools, saying the delay in disbursement risks eroding fair and equitable access to education for learners from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition party leader Raila Odinga on Tuesday termed the failure by the administration to disburse education funding as the result of “corruption and deliberate and harmful political choices.”

“We appeal to religious leaders and civil society organizations to take up the cause of our children, call out the Kenya Kwanza administration and force it to fund the future by paying school fees,” he said.

“I instruct our members of parliament and county assemblies to prioritize basic and higher education spending. Our legislators must embark on active steps to force the government to release public education funding, both at the Primary and secondary levels before schools resume. Money must reach schools ahead of Monday.”