Senate starts probe into use of free learning cash
What you need to know:
- In the 2019-2020 budget, the government allocated Sh473 billion to the Education sector.
- School heads in both primary and secondary schools are lamenting the funds are yet to be released .
Senators are investigating how free learning cash allocated to the Education ministry is being used with schools closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The matter was brought to the House by Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala in a statement dated July 20 and submitted to Senate Speaker Kenneth Lusaka.
It was approved on July 21 to allow the Senate to begin an inquiry.
A DETAILED REPORT
Mr Malala wants the Senate Education committee to demand a statement from Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha concerning the disbursement of the funds to schools, and the measures in place to cushion teachers hired by school boards of management and non-teaching staff during the pandemic.
“In the statement, the committee should provide a detailed report of the total amount of government funds disbursed to schools since March 2020 in line with the Ministry of Education guidelines for the implementation of free education,” Mr Malala said.
The senator also wants the committee to state the balance of government capitation monies yet to be released to schools, with specific timelines when that will be done.
CUSHION TEACHERS
Further, he wants explained specific measures government has in place to economically cushion teachers and non-teaching staff employed by boards of management during Covid-19.
Schools will remain closed for the whole of this year as the country battles to flatten the coronavirus infection curve. Learners are expected to resume classes in January.
In the 2019-2020 budget, the government allocated Sh473 billion to the Education sector, which was the highest among other sectors.
However, school heads in both primary and secondary schools are lamenting the funds are yet to be released to schools.
