Kenya’s Education Funding and Placement Policy Overhaul: Govt Introduces Reforms
On March 15, 2023, the Kenyan government introduced significant changes to the education sector through the Budget Policy Statement presented to the National Assembly.
The four key changes include reforms to basic level education, the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NGCDF), and higher education funding.
The changes were presented by Ndindi Nyoro, the chairperson of the Budget and Appropriations Committee.
The first change involves the National Treasury and the Ministry of Education working together to supervise development projects in schools. The new policy mandates the National Treasury to issue funds as conditional grants for the development of schools.
The Policy Statement directed that the National Treasury, in coordination with the Ministry of Education, should develop a framework for the administration of the school infrastructure improvement funds as a conditional grant to NG-CDF to support school infrastructure development in all constituencies.
The second change recognized Bandari Maritime Academy as a Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institution.
The State Department for Shipping and Maritime Affairs will work with the Ministry of Education to develop a policy framework to ensure that Bandari Maritime Academy students access capitation, like their counterparts in other TVET institutions.
Previously, Bandari Maritime Academy students were not allowed to apply for funding through Higher Education Loans Board (HELB).
The third change provided a framework for increasing funding to basic-level education institutions.
The State Department for Basic Education will initiate and spearhead the process of reviewing the capitation policy at the basic level of education to ensure adequate funding to schools.
The statement directed the State Department to submit a report to the National Assembly within six months.
The fourth and final change ends a program that was started by former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration in 2017.
The program involved placing government-sponsored students in private universities through the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS).
Following recommendations made earlier by the National Assembly Education Committee, the government will no longer place new government-sponsored students in private universities through KUCCPS.
The Education Committee revealed that the program had cost taxpayers Ksh8.7 billion capitation in four years, yet no audit was ever made on how the money was being used.
These changes represent a significant shift in education policy in Kenya. The reforms aim to improve the quality of education and increase funding to basic-level education institutions.
The government’s decision to end the program that placed government-sponsored students in private universities is a significant move that will help to reduce public spending and ensure accountability in the use of public funds.
The government’s recognition of Bandari Maritime Academy as a TVET institution and the provision of capitation to its students will help to ensure that students in TVET institutions have equal access to funding.
Overall, these changes demonstrate the government’s commitment to improving the education sector in Kenya.
Kenya’s Education Funding and Placement Policy Overhaul: Govt Introduces Reforms
