Ogamba links education challenges to funding shortfalls, proposes budget safeguards
He stressed that the Ministry will seek funding through various routes to address sector challenges such as school dropout rates.
Education Cabinet Secretary nominee Julius Ogamba has termed the lack of funding as the main challenge affecting the education sector.
Appearing before the Committee on Appointments on Thursday, Ogamba said the sector has very good policies but lacks enough money and adherence to discharge them.
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“The main issue in our education system is insufficient funding, as there is not enough money to cover all students and pupils in the country. To address this, we need to find a way to raise funds to meet these needs. Although there are good policies and laws in the education sector, the issue lies in our lack of adherence to these policies,” he said.
He also faulted the national government particularly the Treasury for delaying capitation funds in schools which he said negatively impacts students' education. He suggested that the solution involves securing the Ministry's budget through an agreement with the Treasury and Parliament.
“The issue of capitation is a national problem caused by lack of enough resources. A way to resolve this would be agreeing with treasury through Parliament that the sums of the budget of the Ministry be ring-fenced because it is a sensitive ministry so that it is released on time and in totality,” he said.
He stressed that the Ministry will seek funding through various routes to address sector challenges such as school dropout rates.
On the subject of parents being overcharged for school tuition, Ogamba stated that the problem stems from the constitution, which permits the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to oversee teachers.
He said if the Ministry partners with the Commission in dealing with teachers, the cases of surcharging parents will reduce as he will institute various policies.
“The Ministry is in charge of releasing funds and cannot punish teachers. If not adhered to, it has to go through TSC to punish teachers. There are consultations to have the Ministry be an agent of TSC with respect to handling issues such as not adhering to circulars so that the Ministry can handle them without going through TSC,” he said.
“There are also policies in place to stop schools from raising fees but others flout this regulation. We therefore have to ensure that we have strict implementation of the policies by ensuring a watertight disciplinary mechanism for those who flout the regulations and policies,” he said.
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