Let's be constructive on education funding, CS Ogamba says

 Education CS Migos Ogamba addresses the press in Naivasha where he rooted for the Open education system noting that it would held bring down the cost of university education once fully rolled out. [Antony Gitonga, Standard]

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has urged stakeholders to avoid politicising education funding and instead safeguard the education system by engaging constructively in funding discussions.

Speaking during a thanksgiving ceremony in Kajiado County, CS Ogamba dismissed claims that the government is slashing capitation funds for learners. 

He assured the public that the Ministry of Education remains committed to providing quality, free education for all Kenyan children as enshrined in Article 53 of the Constitution.

“Nobody has ever said that we are reducing the money from Sh22,000 to Sh16,000. I don’t know where that came from. Even my colleague never said anything close to that,” Ogamba said.

His remarks come amid growing public confusion and political wrangles over education capitation, with some leaders alleging that the government is cutting back on support for learners, a claim Ogamba says is both baseless and harmful.

Last week, his Treasury Counterpart John Mbadi told MPs that for the past two decades, the government has struggled to fully fund all secondary school students.

“The government is under-providing per child because of fiscal constraints. The current policy is Sh1,420 for primary, Sh15,042 for junior school, and Sh22,244 for secondary. But our current budget doesn’t support it,” Mbadi explained.

However, according to Ogamba, no Education Ministry official has proposed any reduction in funding. He warned leaders against spreading alarmist claims, saying such rhetoric only breeds unnecessary anxiety and undermines public trust in the education system.

“We are all in this together. What happens in budget-making is a matter of looking at available funds and allocating them across ministries. The education sector deserves and will continue to receive the support it requires,” he said.

The CS called on Members of Parliament, county governments, and development partners to concentrate on finding solutions instead of using the capitation issue for political gain.

According to Ogamba, challenges facing the sector should be tackled through responsible dialogue, strong policy support, and innovative funding models.

“This is not the time to mislead the public or play politics with our children’s future. We are producing the best human capital in Africa. Our education system is strong, and we are not going to fail,” Ogamba said.

“The children will be in class, transition will happen, and any challenges will be addressed, whether through supplementary budgets or other measures.”