State to invest Sh74 billion in school, college upgrades by June 2025

The government plans to invest Sh74 billion by June 2025 to upgrade schools and colleges, with a focus on enhancing access to education at all levels through a comprehensive one-year plan by the Ministry of Education.

According to the Ministry, the initiative will support both Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and basic education.

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has said Sh9.1 billion will be allocated to capitation for the 6.4 million pupils in public primary schools (Grades 1 to 6) over the next year and Sh59.8 billion will be disbursed to 3,244,000 secondary students, ensuring steady funding for these institutions.

The government also plans to expand the school meals programme, targeting undernourished students in urban slums and Arid and Semi-Arid Areas. Currently, 2.6 million students benefit from the initiative, an increase of 342,037 from 2022.

The expansion aims to keep vulnerable students in school.

Ogamba emphasised the ministry’s commitment to releasing capitation grants within seven days of receiving funds from the exchequer.

This, he said, will benefit over 12.6 million learners and over 200,000 TVET trainees in the 2024/25 fiscal year, aligning with President William Ruto’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (Beta).

“The ministry commits to release capitation grants within seven days of the exchequer to 12,601,117 learners and 265,845 trainees in the 2024/25 fiscal year,” Ogamba said.

According to the ministry's plan, TVET institutions will receive Sh5.2 billion in funding, with 265,845 trainees currently enrolled.

Top-up grants

The ministry also plans to provide Sh455 million in top-up grants for integrated and special education schools to increase inclusivity for learners with special needs and disabilities in primary and junior schools.

“To improve equity and inclusivity, we will increase enrolment of learners with special needs and disabilities in primary schools and junior schools,” Ogamba said.

Performance targets for all state departments and ministries are being negotiated under the leadership of Deputy Chief of Staff for Performance and Delivery Management Eliud Owalo, and Secretary to the Cabinet Mercy Wanjau.

Owalo mentioned that these commitments would form the basis for evaluating ministries at the end of the fiscal year.

He said they have met with all state departments and ministries to agree on docket targets.