By PSCU
The Free Day Secondary Education (FDSE) programme is facing a significant funding shortfall of KSh21.85 billion, leaving 982,197 students without financial support, the National Assembly Committee on Education has established.
In a session led by Julius Melly, committee members engaged with Principal Secretary for Basic Education, Dr. Belio Kipsang on consideration of the Budget Policy Statement.
“Free day secondary schools have a proposed allocation in KSh54.88 billion for 3,244,325 students at KSh22,44 per leaner and 9,243 Senior Needs Education learners to reduce a caption of Ksh50,722 per learner however because of a defict of KSh 21.85 Billion, 982,197 will be left out under the free day secondary school programme, stated PS Belio Kipsang.
“This resource gap is a clear indication that learners at various levels are not funded as expected based on existing policies on funding,” warned Melly.
“This may in the long run affect the quality of education being delivered in our learning institutions hence negatively affecting the education outcomes,” added Clive Gesairo.
Abdul Haro raised concerns about the impact of this deficit on the quality of education and the “Education for All” policy. “What are your plans to mitigate this serious budget shortfall? Wouldn’t this affect access to quality education?” he questioned.
Committee members also noted that funding to student-centered areas such as capitation, loans, and scholarships has declined. In the 2024/25 financial year, the allocation for these areas is KSh191.2 billion, a drop of KSh23.6 billion compared to the previous year’s KSh214 billion. The resource gap for these critical funding areas now stands at KSh91.8 billion.
Nabii Nabwera raised concerns about special needs learners, stating, “Under the new curriculum, I have not seen allocations catering for special needs students. Where do they go?”
Dr. Kipsang acknowledged the shortfall but assured the committee that the ministry is working to address the challenges. “We have 35 national schools that cater for special needs, and we continue to invest in them to accommodate more students,” he said.
On school infrastructure, Eve Obara questioned the lack of science laboratories in many Junior Secondary Schools, stating, “There are 1,600 secondary schools without laboratories. You say they will be constructed in 2026, but how are we ensuring quality education in the meantime?”
In response, Dr. Kipsang confirmed the government’s commitment to providing laboratories in all senior schools by 2026. “We are giving a commitment that all our senior schools will have a laboratory by then,” he stated.
On the funding shortfall facing low cost boarding, PS Belio Kipsang said, “We requested for an crease from KSh400 million to KSh800 million but it was retained. To mitigate the challenges we have integrated the low cost boarding school programme with the school feeding programme so that 3 meals a day are provided. We appreciate our low cost schools. They help retention of students on pastoralists communities and areas with conflict.”
The Committee also met with the Teachers Service Commission Acting CEO, Mr. Ibrahim Gedi Mumin, the PS State Department on TVET, Dr. Esther Mworia and the PS State Department on Higher Learning, Beatrice Inyangala.
