Sh31.34bn Capitation Released to Schools, Says Education CS Machogu
Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu has confirmed that the National Treasury has allocated Sh31.34 billion for the free learning program in primary, junior, and secondary schools.
The funds are expected to be reflected in the respective school accounts by tomorrow (Wednesday) to support seamless learning activities in alignment with the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.
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The Free Primary Education capitation grant amounts to Sh4.74 billion, Junior Schools receive Sh7.60 billion, Day Secondary Education gets Sh16.20 billion, and Examination and Invigilation fees are allocated Sh2.80 billion.
Mr. Machogu, in collaboration with Members of Parliament, unveiled a plan to invest Sh12.8 billion in constructing classrooms in junior schools. This initiative aims to have 15,015 classrooms ready for grade 9 students next year, alleviating pressure on existing infrastructure.
Regarding the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), Mr. Machogu mentioned that the Ministry of Education has streamlined the number of learning areas and curriculum designs based on the Presidential Task Force on Education Reforms’ recommendations.
He further explained that the ministry has instructed 11 schools to implement these changes for all institutions hosting CBC learners.
The Ministry of Education, working with the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Reforms (KICD), has initiated the review of textbooks aligned with the streamlined designs. The 12 curriculum designs will be available on the KICD website this week.
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The reduction of compulsory subjects from five to two, implemented in the 2023 KCSE examination, followed the approval of the grading system by the Kenya National Examinations Council.
Mr. Machogu highlighted that this reform allows a larger number of students to pursue courses of their choice at universities, diploma, and TVET training at certificate and artisan levels.
He directed the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) and universities to align their 15 cluster points and entry requirements with the new reforms.
This ensures that candidates are not disadvantaged, and he called on KUCCPS to conduct a robust career awareness campaign among the 2023 KCSE candidates to help them understand the new TVET and university entry requirements under the Higher Education Funding Model launched last year.
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Mr. Machogu also announced the forthcoming release of KPSEA reports for candidates who took the Grade 6 assessments in 2023 within the next two weeks. He urged parents to use the results to monitor their learners’ progress as they transition to Grade 7.
Sh31.34bn Capitation Released to Schools, Says Education CS Machogu
