Parental Relief: Parliament Pushes for Higher CBC Funding
Parents of Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) students across the nation can now breathe a sigh of relief following the passage of a motion to increase the per-student capitation fee by a factor of seven.
The motion sponsored by Gatanga MP Edward Muriu, who is affiliated with UDA, was approved by the House of Representatives on Wednesday morning, paving the way for the capitation fee to increase from Ksh1,400 to Ksh7,760.
The development is anticipated to go a long way toward mitigating the school fees burden faced by the parents of CBC learners at a time when the majority of them have been complaining about the costs of the new curriculum.
According to the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Gladys Boss Shollei, the new directive is anticipated to protect alien parents from the rising costs of living.
In addition, lawmakers approved a motion allowing parents of elementary and junior high school students to petition for grants from the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF).
“This house resolves that the education bursary scheme under section 48 of the National Government Constituency Development Fund be extended to support learners in primary and junior secondary schools to cater for the competency-based curriculum requirements,” she stated.
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“This house resolves that the government revises the capitation per student in primary school from the current Ksh1,420 per year to at least Ksh7,760 being the minimum optimal capitation factoring the new CBC education system and the prevailing high cost of living.”
In addition, the motion proposes that NG-CDF boards in all constituencies authorize a greater allocation to the Education bursary schemes to support the school feeding program and other learner-centric activities.
In his bill, Muriu refuted claims that education in primary and junior secondary institutions was free, noting that CBC had increased parental expenditures.
Since the implementation of the CBC curriculum during the administration of former President Uhuru Kenyatta, parents have complained about the concealed costs associated with experimental-based learning sessions.
The Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms reported in August that the state required Ksh676 billion to implement the curriculum this year.
In the context of CBC, the funds were anticipated to encompass reforms at all levels, including pre-primary, primary, junior, and senior high school, Special Needs Education, teacher education, and technical and university education.
Parental Relief: Parliament Pushes for Higher CBC Funding