Outrage as Govt Says It Can’t Afford to Fund Free Education: “Pesa Zinaenda Wapi?”
- Kenyans have expressed their disappointment after the National Treasury CS John Mbadi announced that the government won't be able to cater for free education
- CS Mbadi further announced that the secondary education capitation fee has been reduced by KSh 5,344
- Parents will also have to incur extra costs after Mbadi stated that the government will stop paying examination fees for learners
Faith Chandianya, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and Current Affairs in Kenya
Parents are set to dig deeper into their pockets following the Treasury's recent revelation that the government cannot fund free education.
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This announcement has caused outrage in the country, with some parents questioning where the government funds go.
Speaking before the National Assembly Committee on Thursday, July 24, the National Treasury CS John Mbadi stated that the financial burden of catering for both primary and secondary education has become too heavy.
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Did Kenyan government reduce capitation funds?
The CS argued that the government is not in a position to sustain the full capitation.
He further stated that, based on the initial payment of KSh 22,000, the government can only afford KSh 16,600.
The new government capitation represents a KSh 5,344 reduction.
"If you look at this year's budget, you will see that the government is funding 16,900 from the initial KSh 22,000. We also release 50%, 30% and finally 20%. The amount is not enough," Mbadi argued," Mbadi said.
The government is also set to remove the examination fee subsidy from the beginning of next year. This could cause parents to pay more for the academic costs of their children.
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Parents will be required to cover the costs for the children's national tests.
The outspoken politician stated that the government targeted the subsidy to assist those who are unable to cater for the examination fees.
Additionally, Mbadi stated that the parents who take their children to expensive private schools should be able to pay for their children's examination fees.
How did Kenyans react to Mbadi's statement?
Mbadi's statement sparked debate among Kenyans, with many questioning Mbadi's remarks while others expressed their disappointment.
Bonventure Nalugala:
"A country that is over 60% informal can not sustain free govt services. 3M employees in the public sector can not sustain the services required by over 40,000,000 Kenyans."
Friday:
"Kwani pesa zinaenda wapi hii nchi jameni?"
Mike Kipruto Tanui:
"It is so unfortunate. Yet our Constitution guarantees every child free and compulsory basic education."
Brian:
"Billions lost in corruption. Ghost schools. Inflated projects. And now we’re being told free education is unsustainable? Kenya doesn’t lack money. It lacks honesty."
CYD Cars:
"Now this is sad."
Jay Gee:
"Alternatively, they're building churches in the State house, donations to churches and paying the so-called government advisors."
DM Tosh:
"I once prophecied this, I saw it coming, this free primary education was started by the late president Kibaki 23yrs ago, how come now, for those yrs instead of being added other benefits to the education sector, we are being robbed of what we were given 23yrs down the line,nchi kwisha."
John Mbadi proposes closure of university campuses
At the same time, the Treasury CS suggested new financial reforms in the public university sector. university.
Upon admitting that the government is struggling to sustain the country's education sector, Mbadi proposed staff layoff and closure of satellite campuses as a way of saving the country's universities.
Mbadi acknowledged that the government doesn't have enough funds, while public universities were struggling with rising debt.
Proofreading by Asher Omondi, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
