Funding Gap Emerges as Implementation Costs for New Education Curriculum Soar
Years after the government initiated the transition from an 8-4-4 to a 2-6-6-3 education system, the enormous financial burden of implementing the new curriculum is now clear.
The government will need approximately Sh676 billion in this fiscal year alone to effectively implement the new education curriculum.
Already, a Sh123 billion funding gap exists to support the 2023/2024 implementation of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
The revelation sheds light on the enigmatic cost of financing CBC, which has divided education stakeholders.
The details are contained in a draft report by the Presidential Working Group on Education Reforms (PWPER), which is undergoing final revisions before being submitted to the president.
In an effort to ensure the successful implementation of the CBC, the education task force has proposed a new financing model for basic education with a revised per-child capitation rate.
The report reveals that massive resource mobilization will be required to implement the CBC.
Due to the vast amount of resources required, CBC will require efficient resource management and the implementation of sustainable financing mechanisms.
Currently, the allocation for Free Primary Education (FPE) is Sh1,420 per student, and the allocation for Free Day Secondary Education (FDSE) is Sh22,244 per student.
Nevertheless, under the revised capitation for all levels of basic education, it appears that the taskforce report captures the actual cost of education under CBC.
If included in the final report and adopted by the stakeholders, the government will provide each nursery school student with Sh1,170 per year.
Each student in primary school will receive Sh2,238 annually, while those in junior secondary schools will receive Sh15,043.
According to the new funding strategy, each Senior Secondary student will receive approximately Sh22,527 annually.
Special needs students will receive an additional Sh604 for nursery institutions and an additional Sh3,624 for elementary school students.
Students with special requirements in Junior High and High School will receive an additional Sh10,000.
According to the draft report, these expenses include the value of textbooks and teacher guides, curriculum support materials, ICT materials, school-based teacher capacity development, and excise books and stationery.
In addition, repairs and maintenance, local transportation, electricity, water, and internet, co-curricular activities, dignity purse (sanitary towels), telephone/box rental fees, medical insurance, sanitorium, and non-teaching staff salaries are included in the new budget.
However, that is not all. In addition, the task force recommends the creation of a minimum essential package that will be sent to schools to support their infrastructure and growth.
The taskforce contends that a minimum essential package is required for each school because it provides a realistic fixed operation cost and capitation that allows institutions to operate regardless of the number of students enrolled.
Team argued that the current capitation is a flat rate where all students from impoverished and affluent families receive the same amount. The draft report states,The equity-based funding model allows well to do families to pay for their children’s education thus reducing pressure on government resources, which can be directed to cushion and support learners from poor and vulnerable.”
It adds that given the cost drivers, public primary and secondary schools with fewer than 100 students are regarded to be operating sub optimally.
Funding Gap Emerges as Implementation Costs for New Education Curriculum Soar