Ministry probes schools over free education cash
Education CS Fred Matiang'i at a primary school in Shimo la Tewa during an impromptu visit on January 7, 2016. The Ministry of Education is investing schools over allegations of inflating enrolment figures to receive more free learning cash. PHOTO | WACHIRA MWANGI | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
Counties identified for inflating enrolment figures were Nairobi, Kiambu, Kajiado and Machakos.
Primary schools enrolment went up from 9.8 million in 2012 to 10.2 million in 2016.
Secondary school enrolment rose from 1.9 million in 2012 to 2.3 million in 2016.
The Education ministry is investigating a number of schools for allegedly inflating enrolment figures in a bid to unduly benefit from free learning cash.
Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i warned that appropriate action would be taken against individuals involved in the scandal, saying such a practice is a criminal offence punishable by law.
Auditor-General Edward Ouko’s report on the Ministry of Education’s financial statements for the 2013/2014 financial year says the government had lost millions of shillings of capitation funds in public schools through inflated enrolment figures.
Counties identified for inflating enrolment figures were Nairobi, Kiambu, Kajiado and Machakos.
Enrolment at secondary schools rose from 1.9 million in 2012 to 2.3 million this year.
For primary schools, it went up from 9.8 million in 2012 to 10.2 million this year.
EDUCATION BUDGET
This financial year, Sh32.9 billion has been set aside to cater for students in secondary schools, while Sh14 billion will support pupils in public primary schools.
The government provides Sh1,420 for a pupil in a public primary school every year, while a student in a public secondary school gets Sh12,687.
Another Sh3.4 billion is set to be released for the registration of Standard Eight and Form Four students who will be sitting national examinations at the end of the year.
“We have been carrying out an audit of free education funds as directed by the President,” said the Cabinet Secretary.
At the same time, teachers have asked the government to release free learning cash before the end of this month to avoid a crisis in schools.
Kenya Primary School Head Teachers Association Mombasa branch chairman Fuad Ali said principals are currently managing schools on credit and through the goodwill of teachers.
He said schools may lose support staff and fail to manage some functions if the government continues to delay releasing the money.
Kenya National Union of Teachers’ Coast executive member Dan Aloo said the government had failed to honour its promise of releasing the cash before schools reopened.
Additional reporting by Rebecca Okwanyi
