Members of the National Assembly’s departmental committee on education have raised concerns over the lack of funding for the school feeding programme under the state department of basic education.
The committee led by chairperson Julius Melly said the initiative was an important project in schools aimed at improving student nutrition and attendance. Lack of funds for the project, the committee said, could keep children out of school.
“The School Feeding Programme has kept our children in school. How can it not be funded?” Melly, who is also the Tinderet MP, said.
Principal secretary for basic education, Belio Kipsang’ confirmed that the School Feeding Program was not funded.
“The School Feeding Programme has not been funded for the period under review. We seek the support of this Committee to reinstate Sh4.9 billion that had been allocated,” PS Kipsang’ said.
In addition, members raised concerns about a net decrease of Sh5.3 billion compared to the 2024 Budget Policy Statement.
This includes significant reductions in allocations for Free Primary Education, Free Junior Secondary Education, and Free Day Secondary Education.
In the presentation made by Kipsang’, members noted zero allocations to four critical agencies within the Education sector including the Science Equipment Production Unit (SEPU), National Council for Nomadic Education (NACONEK), and Centre for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education (CEMASTEA).
During the meeting, members demanded justification for the Ministry’s spending priorities. The Committee requested for details on the ministry’s implementation of the school feeding programme including special needs schools and integrated schools.
The Education Committee is expected to meet with the State Department for Technical, Vocational Education and Training, the State Department for Higher Education and the Teachers Service Commission on Budget Estimates FY 2024/25 and Supplementary Estimates II 2023/24, on Wednesday, May 15, 2024.
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