Education Ministry On The Spot Over Ksh.4.5B For CBC Classes
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the National Assembly now wants a special audit of the Ksh. 4.5 billion expended on establishing classes for the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
The committee aims to investigate the expenditure of funds, the criteria used for contractor selection, and whether Kenyan citizens received a commensurate return on their investment.
Dr. Belio Kipsang, principal secretary for basic education, told the committee on Tuesday that the ministry had used the community to select the contractors for the project.
ALSO READ: New KCSE Exam Grading System; All you Should Know
The committee members strongly denied the assertion and insisted on the presentation of evidence demonstrating how the community participated in the selection of contractors responsible for constructing classrooms in specific schools.
Oundo Mudenyo, a member of parliament from Funyula, questioned the level of community involvement in the process and emphasized that the Director of County Education carried it out without consulting important parties, such as elected Members of Parliament.
He pointed out that the lack of transparency was evident when Members of Parliament, who represent the community, were unaware of the developments.
Furthermore, Mudenyo raised concerns regarding the execution of the competency-based curriculum (CBC) and pointed out that new classrooms were being constructed as part of the CBC program without clear communication or a comprehensive understanding of the process.
ALSO READ: KNEC: Only Authorized Personnel Allowed in Examination Centers
Rarieda MP Otiende Omollo emphasized the need for transparency and community involvement in the procurement of contractors for projects in his constituency.
He stressed his lack of knowledge regarding the contractors in Rarieda Constituency, underlining the necessity for evidence illustrating how the community participated in selecting these contractors.
Nonetheless, the PS maintained his stance that community involvement had occurred, with the multi-agency team specifically targeting contractors capable of constructing the classes.
The multi-agency team carried out the process and will provide comprehensive evidence regarding the registration of individuals and the procedures used to transmit this information to the chief’s office.
Contractors were the primary focus of this endeavor, with essential communication established with them.
MPs also criticized the caliber of the classes, questioning whether taxpayers in Kenya received value for their money.
ALSO READ: Stakeholders Call for African Education Models Transformation for Modern Job Market
The legislators found it puzzling why the contractors received full payment, even though it appeared to violate legal requirements, potentially resulting in additional costs to taxpayers for repairing the defective classrooms.
Lugari MP Nabii Nabwera expressed concerns about the quality of the constructed classes in his constituency. He comparers them to taking shelter under a tree during rain.
He stressed that the quality of the classrooms was subpar.
In response, the PS mentioned that a special audit is currently underway to assess the quality of the buildings. While acknowledging the possibility of some defects, he noted that the classes are in use at schools.
An official report will be provided once the audit is completed.
Education Ministry On The Spot Over Ksh.4.5B For CBC Classes