Ministry of Education should rectify capitation arrears, says Ndindi

Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro accused the government of crippling education through reduced capitation. [File, Standard]

Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro has criticized the government for the wrong priorities reflected in the national budget at the expense of facilitating free education.

Speaking at Kiaguthu Boys High School during a prize-giving day, says failure to remit capitation of Sh22,000 per learner in secondary schools has exposed the principals to myriad challenges.

"The Cabinet Secretaries should stop blame games, release the balance and require capitation when the schools open for the third term," said Nyoro.

The parliament, he said, would not allow manipulation of the education sector owing to its importance to the Kenyan and their children.

He said the huge amounts of money splashed every weekend from the state coffers during the weekends should be reallocated to fund the crucial education sector.

"The government is crafting lies and contradictions aimed at crippling the education system, through reduction of capitation, especially during this period of high inflation," he said.

He noted that continued neglect of the education sector is a threat to the future of learning across the country, as the principals are under pressure, owing to the delayed capitation over the years.

The School's Chief Principal Bernard Kamanja appreciated the constituency bursary for the support to needy students.

"The learners from the humble grounds for years have been at the mercy of the bursary programmes from the county governments and the NG CDF," he said.