MPs raise alarm over funding gaps in Free Education Programme
NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 23 — The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has raised fresh concerns over the long-term sustainability of Kenya’s free education programme, citing persistent funding gaps, delayed capitation disbursements and mounting pressure on schools.
The concerns emerged during a review of a Special Audit Report on capitation and infrastructure grants at Bunge Towers, in a session attended by Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok.
Lawmakers questioned the Ministry of Education over recurring capitation shortfalls, with several members calling for greater transparency on the true cost of education.
They noted that despite being branded as “free,” parents continue to shoulder part of the financial burden through top-up fees—effectively rendering the system subsidised rather than fully funded.
Bitok told the committee that capitation currently stands at Sh22,224 per student for Free Day Secondary School and Sh15,043 for Free Day Junior Secondary School.
He added that primary school learners receive Sh1,420 per head, while Special Needs Education attracts Sh57,974 per learner.
However, MPs disputed the figures, maintaining that actual disbursements to secondary schools are significantly lower—at just over Sh12,000 per student—raising concerns over discrepancies between official allocations and funds received by institutions.
The committee further revealed that more than one million learners missed capitation funds in 2024, worsening financial strain across public schools.
In some instances, schools were forced to close early due to operational funding gaps, highlighting systemic weaknesses in programme implementation.
Members pressed the ministry to clarify whether the current funding model is sustainable, urging national leadership to provide candid communication to parents and stakeholders on the realities facing the sector.
In response, Bitok maintained that the government remains committed to sustaining free education, attributing the challenges to budgetary constraints arising from allocations approved by the Parliament of Kenya.
Committee Chairperson Tindi Mwale criticised national budget priorities, arguing that education funding should be elevated to the same level of urgency as other critical sectors.
“We cannot allocate huge amounts of money to security, roads and housing and fail to adequately fund education for our children,” he said.
He added that the committee will work with other parliamentary teams to push for increased funding to the basic education sector, noting that the programme remains critical for learners from disadvantaged backgrounds.