MPs approve motion to increase FPE funds THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013 - 00:00 -- BY IBRAHIM ORUKO MPs want the government to increase the Free Primary Education annual capitation per child from Sh1,020 to Sh3,060. The legislators yesterday approved a motion by Wajir South MP Mohammed Diriye that the government should increase the allocation to ensure pupils get quality education. The number of children in schools has increased from 5.9 million in 2003 to 8.7 million in 2013. Diriye said the government should cater for the 47.46 per cent increase. He said the Sh1,020 is hardly enough to cater for a students needs. The Sh1,020 is issued in two phases. The first phase comprises Sh550 for learning materials. The second phase that comprises Sh470 is meant for the maintenance of school, renovation, quality assurance, construction and bills. “Sh1,020 is too little, it is not even enough for the purchase of learning materials and the rest of development infrastructure, he said. He said lack of adequate learning materials in schools has led to poor performance in national exams because money allocated is hardly enough to buy books and other stationery for use by pupils. “All text books have gone up by 50 per cent in the last ten years. This has really undermined learning as our schools do not have powers to purchase books.” When seconding the motion Vihiga MP Yusuf Chanzu said the government should invest in good education for all children. “If we are going to talk about vision 2030 this is the time. It is important government considers increasing the capitation, as it is very difficult for schools to operate.” Kiminini MP Chris Wamalwa said the government should re-evaluate the allocation as it was done ten years ago and the market has since changed. “Since the introduction of FPE the quality has been compromised because even the ratio of teachers to students is very much overstretched.”
Posted on: Thu, 31 Oct 2013 14:10:05 +0000
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