The Ministry of Education has defended the allocation and management of billions of shillings disbursed to public schools under capitation, infrastructure grants and the now-defunct EduAfya medical scheme, following a Special Audit by the Office of the Auditor-General that raised accountability concerns.
Appearing before the National Assembly Public Accounts Committee, chaired by Tindi Mwale, the Principal Secretary for Basic Education, Julius Bitok, responded to queries on free primary education funds, junior school capitation, infrastructure financing and discrepancies in student enrolment data captured in the National Education Management Information System (NEMIS).
On capitation allocation, Bitok explained, "The FPE capitation is fixed at a rate of Sh1,420 per learner per year, and the amount is disbursed in 3 tranches, that is 50 per cent in term one, 30 per cent in term two and 20 per cent in term three."
The PS, while submitting the report, confirmed that deductions are made centrally for textbooks before funds are released to institutions.
"In the financial year 2021/2022, 2022/2023, 2023/2024 and 2024/2025, Sh75 per learner was deducted from the amounts that were due to be disbursed in Term one and Term two and remitted to KICD," Bitok said.
He further stated that junior secondary learners receive significantly higher funding based on enrolment data captured in NEMIS.
"Capitation for Junior Schools are disbursed based on learner enrolment and school entity as captured in NEMIS and follows a structured cost allocation framework and the capitation amount per learner is Sh15,042," he added.
Committee member Wilberforce Oundo sought clarification on free day secondary education funding, prompting the PS to confirm that Sh. 1,350 per public secondary school student per year is allocated for the Edu-Afya medical cover.
"According to the official, the Free Day Secondary Education (FDSE) program blueprint, Sh. 4,144 per learner per year is allocated specifically for tuition (teaching, learning materials and exams)," the PS said.
Bitok also confirmed the Ministry’s spending on medical cover for secondary school students through the EduAfya programme implemented in 2018, allocating Sh. 1,350 per public secondary school student per year for the Edu-Afya medical cover.
However, the session also turned to a reported case of religious discrimination at St Mary’s Lwak Girls in Siaya County. Garissa County MP and Committee Vice Chairperson Amina Udgoon Siyad asked the PS to explain the circumstances surrounding a Grade 10 student who was allegedly sent home for wearing a hijab.
“There is an incident reported at St Mary’s Lwak Girls in Siaya where a Muslim student who joined Grade 10 was refused permission to wear her hijab,despite being assured at the time of admission that she could wear it, Samira Ramadhan is now unable to continue with her studies. Efforts by her father to seek clarification from the school management have not been fruitful.” Siyad told the committee.
The concerns triggered a constitutional debate among members, with Teso South MP Mary Emase citing Article 27 of the Constitution on equality and freedom from discrimination.
“Article 27 is very clear. Every person is equal before the law and has the right to equal protection and equal benefit of the law. The State shall not discriminate directly or indirectly against any person on any ground, including religion. No person, not even a child, should be discriminated against because of her religion,” Emase stated.
Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo urged caution, noting that while the law was clear, the committee needed to establish the facts surrounding the incident.
"The issue raised by the Vice Chair is serious. The law is clear that is not in question. What is in question are the facts. It is reasonable to allow the Principal Secretary time to investigate and provide a factual report. However, given the urgency of the matter, the girl cannot remain at home as we wait," Otiende said.
Chairperson Tindi Mwale questioned why action had not been taken sooner.
“You are seeking more time while the girl stays at home. That is not fair,” he said.
“You need to defend the Constitution. It is clear on freedom of worship. The girl is supposed to be allowed to go to that school.”
PS Bitok maintained that preliminary reports from the sub-county education office and the school presented differing accounts, necessitating further investigation, but affirmed that the Ministry would act swiftly to safeguard the learner’s rights.
“The law is clear. There should be no discrimination whatsoever on matters of religion,’’ Bitok said.
