Friday, 7 March, 2025
Education Committee meets MDAs on Supplementary Estimates II for the 2024/25 financial year๐๐๐ซ๐ฅ๐ข๐๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐๐ฎ๐ข๐ฅ๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ฌ ๐๐ก๐ฎ๐ซ๐ฌ๐๐๐ฒ, ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ก ๐๐ญ๐ก ๐๐๐๐
The National Assembly Education Committee has engaged the State Department for Technical and Vocational Education and Training, State Department for Basic Education, State Department for Higher Education and the Teachers Service Commission in consideration of Supplementary Estimates I for FY 2024/25.
The PS, State Department for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), Ms. Esther Mworia, told Committee Members that the sector urgently needs Kshs 3.7 billion for capitation to ensure students remain in class.
โWe have 29 national polytechnics across the country, but we did not receive any development expenditure funding. Additionally, our scholarship requirement was Kshs 12.5 billion, yet we only received Kshs 2.5 billion, which went into clearing arrears," said PS Mworia, appealing for a Kshs 20 billion interventionโKshs 17 billion for recurrent expenditure and Kshs 3 billion for development.
Members of the Committee expressed concern over stalled TVET centers. "We have so many delayed and unfinished TVET centers. This is a grave issue that needs urgent resolution," said Committee Chair, Hon. Julius Melly.
PS, Basic Education, Dr. Belio Kipsang was put to task on the number of schools and children beneffiting from the school feeding programme.
Hon. Clive Gesairo pressed for transparency on school feeding allocations. He asked, "Which schools are benefiting from the school feeding program? We need a clear list."
Hon. Nabii Nabwera sought clarity on the number of beneficiaries, prompting Dr. Kipsang to disclose that 2.6 million children are currently fed, yet the ideal target is 10 million.
"We feed these children on rice and beans, but funding constraints mean many remain unsupported," he added.
Committee Chair, Hon. Julius Melly, pledged support for increased capitation. "We shall support you on capitation for primary, junior secondary, and senior schools," he assured.
PS, Higher Education, Dr. Beatrice Inyangala, and Universities Fund CEO Geoffrey Monari also appeared before the Committee.
Hon. Jerusha Momanyi questioned, "What strategic plans have you put in place to ensure universities become financially sustainable?"
Concerns were raised over the financial health of Moi University. Hon. Julius Melly demanded, "We need a status report on Moi University."
"On Moi University, as a Committee the University. The Committee, the Ministry and the Government are doing their part.What are measures have you taken? We asked for documentation on their financial status, revenue and assets. Billions have been invested in the lease of sell of properties to deal with debate. What is the status?" queried Hon. Clive Gesairo.
Acting Vice Chancellor Prof. Kiplagat Kotut admitted that the Moi University is still truggles with a massive wage bill and has been forced to lease land to raise funds.
"We leased out land to a company named Crop Soko for five years at Kshs 24 million annually," he said.
Lawmakers pressed the Moi University Don for documentation on the universityโs financial status, revenue streams, and asset management, questioning whether property sales could clear debts.
In a separate meeting with TSC CEO, Dr Nancy Macharia appeared before the Committee.
MPs sought answers on the stays of the medical cover for teachers, questioning why many teachers were unable to access medical coverage.
"Are we persisting with this insurance cover, or have the teachers been transitioned?" asked Hon. Julius Taitumu.
Dr. Nancy Macharia was directed to present the Committee with details on the teachers medical insurance scheme and letter from the National Treasury and SHA.
The Committee is expected to prepare a Report and present it before the Liaison Committee of the National Assembly.