By S, KNA
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos has assured stakeholders that his ministry is committed to timely disbursement of capitation funds to support free education in public schools across the country.
Speaking during a tour of educational institutions in Magarini Sub County, Migos said his ministry was working closely with the National Treasury to ensure the timely release of funds ahead of the third term.
“We aim to release capitation earlier this term, addressing challenges from the second term, while ensuring that students preparing for exams are not disadvantaged,” he said.
In the last term, many public schools experienced financial constraints due to delays in government funding, which disrupted operations and learning in several institutions, some of which were forced to close early.
The CS clarified that the government is collaborating with other stakeholders to ensure the full disbursement of capitation funds in line with the government’s free and compulsory education policy.
Migos also revealed that the government has identified 42 semi-autonomous government agencies (SAGAs) for merging or restructuring.
This initiative, aims to enhance efficiency and avoid duplication of roles within the education sector.
“Some of the SAGAs are being merged, while others are being returned to their parent ministries. It is a government policy to ensure more effective use of resources and eliminate overlap in functions,” he said.
During his visit to the Magarini Technical and Vocational Training Institute, Migos announced that the government will prioritize upgrading the institution to match national standards, which was established in 2017 but only completed in September last year, the institute currently has 245 students but faces numerous challenges.
Among the issues noted by the CS are the lack of workshops, absence of a computer lab, limited hairdressing training equipment, water shortages, lack of a perimeter fence, and a poorly maintained access road that hinders student mobility.
In response, the government has pledged to construct 340 boarding rooms to accommodate students traveling from distant areas.
Furthermore, Migos acknowledged that 52 constituencies across the country are yet to receive technical institutes, in contrast with the government’s goal of establishing one in every constituency.
The Magarini Technical Institute aims to enroll 1,500 students by January and become a center of excellence for agricultural training.
On the other hand, the CS also visited the Galana Teachers Training College, where he pledged to support the institution’s infrastructural development with an initial Sh5 million.
Harrison Kombe, who is fighting to retain the Magarini Parliamentary Seat in an impending by-election, said the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) would construct a 200-bed dormitory within the institution.
The Institute Principal Janet Mwadigha said lack of vital infrastructure at the premier institute had led to students rejecting placement, leading to low enrolment.
Mwadigha asked the ministry to consider allowing the institute to have walk-in students to boost enrolment from the local communities.
