More delays in free education money

Schools will have to wait a little longer to receive a balance of Sh11.3 billion in free primary and secondary education funds.

The Education ministry says the money will be disbursed after consultations.

Delays in disbursing the funds, which are meant for the second term, have sparked panic, with fears some schools might send students home.

On Thursday, Education Permanent Secretary Prof George Godia appealed for calm, saying schools should go ahead and include the balance in their budgets “because the money will definitely be disbursed.”

“The ministry would like to assure that FPE and FDSE are ring-fenced in the budget and the Government will always strive to ensure the funds are disbursed,” he said.

The delay, he said, was caused by the need to comply with Section 221 of the Constitution that calls for thorough budget consultations.

He urged schoolheads not to send learners home.

The Education ministry requested an additional Sh11.3 billion from the Treasury to bridge a shortfall in second term disbursements.

On Tuesday, Prof Godia wrote to the Treasury PS Joseph Kinyua about the shortfalls.

Primary schools are waiting for a balance of Sh1.8 billion after only Sh801.5 million was disbursed, Prof Godia said, adding secondary schools were waiting for Sh9.5 billion.

Primary schools were allocated Sh7.5 billion in the current financial year, a drop of Sh223.6 million from the previous financial year.

In the letter to the Treasury, the PS said the shortfall was also caused by changes in the disbursement system and an increase in the pupil population, which has risen to 8,700 in primary schools.

Previously, disbursements were done twice a year in May and October. For secondary schools, disbursements were done on a termly basis at the ratio of 20, 30 and 50 per cent.

In the new system, the ministry is required to disburse the grants through a capitation model on a 50, 30, 20 termly basis.