Education sector to review budget priorities following the denial of the Financial Bill.
Following the Finance Bill’s rejection, 46,000 intern junior school teachers who were slated for permanent and pensionable tenure now teeter on the verge of disaster, revealed Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu today.
Machogu stated that the government needs to reevaluate its plan in a press conference held following the 47th Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association Annual National Conference in Mombasa. “We must reassess our priorities and determine which budget items are expendable.
Although the President has provided some details for this year’s budget, we need to review our goals in light of the current circumstances.
The 46,000 JSS teachers continue to be a government priority, even though I am unable to give a firm response at this time, Machogu said. KSh13.4 billion had been set aside in the 2024–2025 budget to advance these educators to permanent status and pension eligibility.
Machogu emphasized that the 2-6-3-3-3 framework was approved following lengthy talks by the Presidential Working Party on Education Reform.
Six years of elementary education, three years of junior secondary education, three years of senior secondary education, and a minimum of three years of university education are all included in this framework.
The Basic Education Curriculum Framework of 2017 and Sessional Paper No. 1 of 2019, both approved by Parliament, serve as the foundation for this framework.
With the approval of 93% of stakeholders, junior schools will continue to be housed within primary schools, utilizing current infrastructure and cutting expenses, Machogu stated.
The government has set aside KSh3.5 billion for 1,000 new primary school classrooms and an extra KSh3.9 billion through the National Government–Constituency Development Fund (NG–CDF) for further classroom construction so that Grade 9 can be taught there the following year.
Under the Competency-Based Curriculum, Kenya will implement three pathways for senior school students: STEM, Social Sciences, and Arts and Sports Science. Machogu disclosed plans to classify schools according to performance and interests, then direct pupils into these courses.
Depending on their capability, some institutions will offer all three pathways, while others will only offer at least two.
In order to maximize resources and knowledge, we are also creating a framework for resource sharing between schools and higher education institutions,” he continued. Machogu advised school administrators to get ready for the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in education, highlighting the significance of digital content and technology in general.
“AI has the ability to improve administrative procedures, simplify data administration, and increase inclusivity in education. He emphasized that it is imperative to integrate AI into educational delivery and educate students for a world driven by the technology.
He did, however, reassure that teachers will continue to play a key role in education and that AI will only be used as an adjunct rather than as a substitute.
Machogu reaffirmed the government’s commitment to education in the face of worries over delayed capitation, pointing to a KSh656 billion allocation for 2024–2025—nearly thirty percent of the total national budget. KSh2.7 billion went to elementary schools, KSh14 billion to junior schools, and KSh18.8 billion to high schools in recent distributions.
Regarding the fund delivery delays, Machogu stated that they were caused by the National Treasury’s delayed releases, but he also reaffirmed ongoing efforts to guarantee that monies are available on time. He also underlined following Ministry of Education policies and cautioned school leaders against enacting unlawful fees.
“We have forbade unlawful levies and set maximum acceptable fees. Kenya National Examination Council certificates cannot be withheld by schools for any reason, not even unpaid fees. These rules have to be followed to the letter,” he said.
Education sector to review budget priorities following the denial of the Financial Bill.
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