Record-Breaking Allocation: Education Sector Surges Ahead with Unprecedented Sh628.6 Billion Funding in 2023/24 Budget
The education sector has once again received the largest portion of the national budget, with a total allocation of Sh628.6 billion for the 2023-2024 fiscal year, representing 27.4% of planned national expenditures.
The allocation proposed by Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury, Njuguna Ndung’u, is an increase from the Sh544.4 billion allocated to the sector in the prior year.
The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) accounts for the majority of the budget (5h316.7 billion).
Although the commission had requested Sh2.2 billion for teacher promotions, it received only Sh1 billion.
Numerous educators have complained that their stagnation in the same positions has hindered their career advancement.
In addition, the government will receive Sh4.8 billion for the recruitment of permanent and pensionable teachers, as well as Sh4.8 billion for the recruitment of 20,000 contract teachers.
An additional Sh1.3 billion has been proposed for teacher training on the competency-based curriculum.
The Kenya National Examinations Council (Knec) will receive Sh5 billion for primary and secondary student examinations.
Despite an annual increase in the number of candidates, the allocation for examination waivers has remained the same, making it difficult for the examination agency to meet some of its obligations.
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This has placed a strain on Knec’s ability to effectively execute its mandate, including the payment of facilitators (inspectors, security personnel, examiners, and scorers) and logistics, according to the budget committee report.
The Free Primary Education program has received $12.5 billion, while the Free Day Secondary Education program has received $65.4 billion.
This consists of expenses for the EduAfya health insurance program administered by the National Hospital Insurance Fund.
Junior Secondary School 055) students contribute Sh25.5 billion per capita. Each JSS student will receive 5h15,042 in funds. The infrastructure of secondary and higher secondary schools will also receive Sh6 billion.
This is an increase from last year’s allocation of Sh2.8 billion. This is the proposed allocation for the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) by members of Congress.
The allocation to the Higher Education Loans Board has been increased from Sh15 billion to Sh30 billion to kickstart the new higher education funding model.
Under this model, the automatic block grant for higher education has been replaced by individual support in the form of scholarships, loans, and bursaries.
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The budget for higher education is Sh97 billion. The school feeding program has received $5 billion.
Currently, the federal and county governments are implementing the program. The Budget Appropriations Committee has proposed that the CDF match the national government’s contribution to ensure that this program’s scope encompasses all schools, including schools for students with special needs.
Kenya’s Kwanza manifesto promised to increase the number of beneficiaries from two million to four million by doubling the budget for the feeding program. Currently, 26 counties are participating in the program.
The provision of sanitary pads for schoolgirls will cost Sh940 million. While the Digital Learning Programme and ICT Integration in Secondary Schools will receive Sh400 million.
The Kenya Secondary Education Quality Improvement Project, which will conclude this year, will receive Sh2.7 billion.
Under the East African Skills Transformation and Regional Integration Project. The Ministry of Technical and Vocational Education and Training received Sh5.2 billion for student grants. Sh1.9 billion for construction and equipment of TVET institutions, and Sh1.8 billion to increase access and improve quality.
A further Sh920 million has been allocated for TVET and entrepreneurship, and Sh1.5 billion has been allocated for promoting youth employment and skill development. Prof. Ndung’u suggested allocating Sh749 million to research, science, and innovation.
Record-Breaking Allocation: Education Sector Surges Ahead with Unprecedented Sh628.6 Billion Funding in 2023/24 Budget
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