Ray of hope as MPs restore education funding amid budget cuts

PS Belio Kipsang. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

Members of the National Assembly have restored crucial funding for key education sectors, which had faced a drastic Sh23.1 billion reduction due to proposed austerity measures.

The Budget and Appropriations Committee, chaired by Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, revised the total budget downward by Sh10.1 billion, from Sh156.4 billion to Sh146.3 billion, for the fiscal year 2024/25.

Despite these cuts, in a report tabled by Peter Masara, a member of the Budget and Appropriations Committee on Tuesday, critical areas like free day secondary education, free primary education, and Junior Secondary School (JSS) have been spared from rationalization.

In the new move, the Basic Education budget will rise by Sh14.3 billion to Sh131.2 billion, contrary to a previous proposed reduction of Sh14.93 billion. This increase includes Sh11.98 billion for free primary education and Sh2.4 billion for free day secondary education.

Sh5 billion has been allocated for the administration of national examinations and assessments for almost 3.5 million learners in Grades Three, Six, and Form Four.

This includes Sh1.9 billion for the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) and Sh3.1 billion for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE).

“The proposed reduction in recurrent expenditure comprises Sh10 billion from the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) for collective bargaining agreement (CBA) implementation, Sh5 billion from basic education for examination waiver for primary and secondary school national examinations, and Sh1.7 billion sponsorships to students in private universities,” reads the report.

The TSC will receive an additional Sh29.5 billion for teacher resource management, with Sh17.6 billion going towards converting 46,000 intern teachers into Permanent and Pensionable terms. Sh11.9 billion will be used for teachers’ medical cover.

“The members of the public requested that the National Assembly ringfence the allocation for JSS as proposed by the TSC. The committee notes the concern by the public and is committed to enhancing the current allocation for hiring JSS intern teachers in FY 2024/25,” he said.

TSC Chief Executive Officer Nancy Macharia highlighted that without adequate funding, teachers would lose their medical cover, including group life, group personal accident, and Work Injury Benefits Act (Wiba) covers. The third year of the teachers’ medical contract, set to start on December 1, will cost Sh20.6 billion.

In addition, the budget for Higher Education and Research will see an increment of Sh1.15 billion, bringing it to Sh120.4 billion.

“The public had proposed reinstating allocations for the State Department for Higher Education and Research to its FY 2024/25 levels, including a proposed Sh10 billion for the EduAfya program,” read part of the report.

Previously, the Higher Education Loans Board (Helb) was to face a budget cut of Sh710 million, and the Universities Fund (UF) for scholarships was to be reduced by Sh2.6 billion from the initial Sh19.6 billion.

Last week while appearing before the National Assembly Committee on Education chaired by Tinderet MP Julius Melly, Higher Education Principal Secretary Dr. Beatrice Inyangala warned that these cuts would hinder 153,292 learners from accessing government funding. “Government funding for students under Helb and the UF has been reduced, leaving many first-year students inadequately funded,” said Inyangala.

The committee also proposed funding the school meals program to support ongoing initiatives that mitigate negative impacts on school attendance, nutrition, and economic stability.