Budget shortfall threatens Free Day Secondary Programme, Education Committee told

Budget shortfall threatens Free Day Secondary Programme, Education Committee told

𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠
𝐓𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐅e𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝐭𝐡 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓

The Free Day Secondary Education (FDSE) programme is facing a significant funding shortfall of Kshs 21.85 billion, leaving 982,197 students without financial support, the National Assembly Committee on Education has established. 

In a session led by Hon. Julius Melly, Committee Members engaged with Principal Secretary for Basic Education, Dr. Belio Kipsang on consideration of the 2025/26 Budget Policy Statement.

"Free day secondary schools have a proposed allocation in 54.88 billion for 3,244,325 secondary at Kshs 22,44 per learner and 9,243 Senior Needs Education learners to receive a caption of Kshs 50,722 per learner. However because of a deficit of Kshs 21.85 B, 982, 197 learners will be left out of 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 Committee Chair, Hon. Julius 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 Hon. Clive Gesairo.

Hon. 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 had declined. 

Hon. 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, Hon. Eve Obara questioned the lack of science laboratories in many Secondary Schools, stating, “There are 1,600 secondary schools without laboratories. According to your submissions, more will be constructed in 2026, but how are we ensuring quality education specifically in science subjects in the meantime?”

In response, the PS 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,” he stated.

Speaking of the funding shortfall facing low cost boarding schools, PS Kipsang said, "We requested for an increase from Kshs 400 million to Kshs 800 million but it was retained," PS Kipsang said. 

"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 to learners. We appreciate our low cost secondary schools. They help retention of students in pastoralist communities and students in areas with conflict," the PS added.

The Committee also received submissions in the 2025/26 Budget Policy Statement from 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, Ms. Beatrice Inyangala.