The late retired president Mwai Kibaki. Photo/KNA
By Newsflash Team
The government’s long-standing policy of offering free basic education in public schools is facing collapse due to inadequate budget allocations, raising fears of a looming crisis in the education sector.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has admitted that current government capitation is insufficient to maintain the free education programme. He suggested exploring alternative strategies, including shared funding between the government and households.
Free education, introduced in 2003 for primary and 2008 for secondary schools, is under pressure, with Mr Ogamba saying the ministry is working on a revised funding model that factors in individual learners’ circumstances.
“Right now, we cannot confidently say that education is free. The budget doesn’t support that claim. That’s why school heads say the government owes them funds,” the CS told Parliament.
Appearing before the National Assembly’s Education Committee, Mr Ogamba acknowledged that the government is struggling to keep pace with the financial demands of the programme.
Presently, each secondary school student receives Sh22,240 per year, while primary school pupils are allocated Sh1,420. But actual school operational costs, including infrastructure and learning materials, have increased significantly.
Mr Ogamba noted that schools need Sh28,000 per secondary learner and Sh65,000 for each primary learner annually to operate effectively.
Shift toward needs-based funding
“We must rethink the approach to education financing. We’ve already made submissions to the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms proposing new models,” he said.
His remarks alarmed education stakeholders, who warned that backtracking on free education could undermine major progress made over the last 20 years.
Kilifi North MP Owen Baya urged for an expanded education budget to ensure continuity of the programme.
“We must find a way to protect free education. The solution is not to scale back, but to fix the existing funding shortfall,” Baya argued.
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In response to MPs’ concerns over recurring budget gaps, Mr Ogamba pointed to underfunding by the National Treasury. He stressed the urgency of reviewing the financing system.
“We need to reassess how education is funded,” he told the committee.
Kibra MP Peter Orero added that the one-size-fits-all funding model is outdated and hurts schools, calling for a move toward needs-based allocations.
“Schools in different regions face varied challenges. Those in hardship areas require more support than urban institutions. We must adopt a more realistic model,” Orero said.
Concern for vulnerable learners
Mr Ogamba said he supports targeted funding for vulnerable learners and those in disadvantaged settings.
However, MPs asked for clear timelines and frameworks to guide the proposed transition.
“We all agree education costs have risen. The current support is insufficient. A new approach is needed,” Baya insisted.
Several lawmakers also said funding should consider school facilities and infrastructure gaps when allocating resources.
Education leaders warned that abandoning free education would hit poor families the hardest, especially in rural areas.
The CS said proposals for the new model will be tabled in Parliament for discussion before adoption. MPs also want boarding school costs reviewed, noting that they are beyond the reach of many parents.
KNUT Secretary-General Collins Oyuu cautioned that ending free education would negatively impact enrolment and retention rates.
He urged inclusive stakeholder consultations before major policy changes, warning of unrest and public anger if the plan moves forward without consensus.
Mr Ogamba aid a new system will prioritize subsidies for the most vulnerable learners, similar to the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) model.
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Meanwhile, KUPPET Secretary-General Akello Misori said schools are already grappling with severe financial stress.
Misori noted that the shortfall in funds has pushed many schools to increase fees to stay afloat.
Concerned parents also raised alarm that without government intervention, access to education will be unaffordable for thousands of households.
These revelations come as the education sector faces multiple financial pressures, including the costs of implementing new curriculum reforms and absorbing increased student enrolment.
On Thursday, MPs directed the Education Ministry to draw up a comprehensive plan to ensure the sustainability of learning for all Kenyan children.
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