The education sector is set to benefit substantially from the Ksh187.3 billion supplementary budget for the 2023-24 fiscal year, with a focus on addressing various financial gaps and priorities. A significant allocation of Ksh62.1 billion has been earmarked for the education sector, representing approximately one-third of the total supplementary budget. This funding injection aims to bolster various segments of the education system.
The State Department for Higher Education and Research is slated to receive an additional Ksh29.3 billion, resulting in a total budget of Ksh157.9 billion for the fiscal year. The increase is primarily attributed to financial shortfalls in scholarships for university students, Higher Education Loans Board (Helb) funding, and Open University programs, as indicated by the Treasury’s submissions to Parliament according to report by Business Daily.
The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) is also designated for an augmented budget of Ksh19.7 billion, with a particular emphasis on teachers’ resource management. This allocation is designed to mitigate the ongoing shortage of educators, a challenge exacerbated by the implementation of the competency-based curriculum.
The State Department for Vocational and Technical Training is set to receive an additional Ksh4.1 billion, enhancing its overall budget for the fiscal year to Ksh32.5 billion. The rationale behind this increase is related to a funding gap in the new financial model for technical vocational education training (TVET).
A significant change in funding allocation is imminent for universities and TVET institutions. The traditional approach of providing grants to students will be replaced by a model that tailors funding to individual student needs.
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Furthermore, the supplementary budget designates an extra Ksh5.3 billion for secondary education. This represents a departure from the previous funding mechanism, which relied on the differentiated unit cost model. Under the new system, funding will be determined by the specific requirements of each student.
The State Department of Basic Education is also set to benefit from an augmented budget, with an additional Ksh8.9 billion allocated. A substantial portion of this funding, approximately Ksh4.4 billion, will address shortfalls in Junior Secondary School capitation and support the Kenya National Examination Council.
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The infusion of additional funds into the education sector reflects a commitment to addressing pressing financial needs and enhancing the quality of education throughout Kenya.
