Sh19 billion for free primary and secondary education released

Sh19.9 billion has been released to schools to cater for free primary and free day secondary capitation. [David Gichuru,Standard]

Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha has cautioned principals against sending away students over fees when schools open for first term in two weeks.

He said Sh19.9 billion has been released to schools to cater for free primary and free day secondary capitation.

Magoha said with this money, principals should not send away children when they report to schools.

Magoha said out of the Sh19.9 billion allocated to capitation, Sh2 billion will go to free primary schools. About Sh16.8 billion will go to free secondary schools.

"The money will be in banks on Tuesday next week before the schools open. Nobody should send children away because there is no money to run the school," Magoha said.

Magoha spoke when he addressed more than 2, 000 beneficiaries of the Elimu Scholarships and Equity Group Foundation Wings to Fly in Nairobi.

The Thursday meeting was held at the Pangani Girls High school during the Nairobi Region 12th Annual Congress.

At the same time, Magoha said KCPE candidates who were placed in far-flung day schools should seek interventions from education offices.

"It must have been a mistake and they should report to education agents in their area for action to be taken. Those who were placed in boarding schools they had not selected should accept the outcome," said the CS.

On sustainability of the Elimu scholarships, the CS pleaded with the incoming government to ensure the programme continues so as help the vulnerable children.

"Elimu Scholarships Programme is a good thing and my hope is that whoever will be the head of government will be humane enough to continue with it or even provide something better. The National Government County Development Fund (NG-CDF) sometimes does not reach the right children because of the manner in which they are issued," said the CS.