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{
    "id": 1553782,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1553782/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 360,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr Julius Migos Ogamba",
    "speaker_title": "The Cabinet Secretary for Education",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "data. The Clerk-at-the-Table will share it with you. If there is any more information that you require, please, let us know so that we can coordinate and sort it out. On the question of equal opportunities, the headteachers are not allowed to send learners home for lack of fees because secondary and primary schools are funded by the Government, unless it is the portion that relates to boarding that the parents pay. Otherwise, the guidelines from the Ministry are that you do not send the learners home, for example, for delays in capitation funds. This will answer the second part of that question. We had indicated that. In fact, last time, there was a bit of a delay in the release of capitation funds. We urged the principals and headteachers not to send the learners home, and they obliged. We normally work very closely with the Ministry of National Treasury and Economic Planning to ensure that the capitation funds are released on time. Last September, it was released two days before the opening of the schools. So, we did not have that challenge. However, there was a bit of a challenge in January. We even had to do it in instalments. For the second term that is coming, we are already engaging the National Treasury. Even this morning, we have engaged them. We had a meeting to try and negotiate with them to ensure that we receive the capitation funds before the schools open. It is that balancing act that we have to do because of the scarcity of resources to ensure that the money is in schools so that there is no hardship for the teachers. It is an understandable challenge that cuts across board. We are working very hard to ensure that it can be resolved, going forward. On the issue of the infrastructure relating to the children not having enough desks or classrooms, this is a normal challenge that the Government is facing. As I said earlier, we are working very closely with Members of Parliament, through the NG-CDF. Hon. Members, thank you very much because you have done a very good job in some of the institutions I have visited. You have constructed classrooms, bought desks and supported the students in those areas. It is something that we face as a country, but we work every day to see that the problem is resolved. Thank you."
}