PS Kipsang: 1 Million Students to Lose Capitation (2024)
PS Kipsang: 1 Million Students to Lose Capitation (2024). In the forthcoming year, a substantial reduction of Ksh. 22 billion in the supplementary budget for the 2023/2024 Financial Year is expected, affecting the capitation funding for Free Day Secondary Schools. Consequently, over one million secondary school students are at risk of losing government support.
To address this issue, Basic Education PS Belio Kipsang utilized the surge in this year’s KCPE candidates, which saw an increase of up to 200,000 students, as justification. He presented this data to convince the National Assembly Education Committee, led by Julius Melly, to secure additional funding for infrastructure development in secondary schools.
However, the committee remained skeptical of the explanation and accused the Ministry of Education of inadequate planning.
In light of these budget cuts, PS Kipsang warned that the ministry might be incapable of sustaining capitation for one million secondary school learners, emphasizing, “In this particular year, we shall not be able to finance 1 million learners in the free day secondary school.”
In terms of budgetary allocation, the Supplementary estimates have significantly increased the State Department of Basic Education’s budget, with a rise from Ksh. 147.8 billion to Ksh. 156.7 billion, reflecting an increment of Ksh. 8.9 billion. Of this increase, Ksh. They specifically allocate 5.5 billion for JSS learner capitation and earmark an additional Ksh. 3.8 billion for school examination and assessment.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Education expressed concern over a Ksh. 4 billion cut in funding allocated for TVETs’ Capitation.
As the momentum of education reforms continues to build, it is imperative that education officials underscore the critical role of adequate financing in ensuring the sector’s success in reaching its intended destination. In 2024, PS Kipsang’s actions may result in 1 million students losing their capitation, highlighting a critical situation.