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"id": 185371,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/185371/?format=api",
"text_counter": 163,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Prof. Ongeri",
"speaker_title": "The Minister for Education",
"speaker": {
"id": 124,
"legal_name": "Samson Kegeo Ongeri",
"slug": "samson-ongeri"
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"content": " Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg your pardon. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to move that Mr. Speaker, do now leave the Chair. Having said that, hon. Members are aware that the first medium-term plan Vision 2030 provides a foundation for a new national development strategy that links national policies to specific programmes and projects in order to realise shared national objectives. The Vision document acknowledges the critical role education plays as an enabler in the development of quality human capital which can use knowledge and other resources effectively for the benefit of the society. Indeed, education is viewed as being one of the four main pillars of building a knowledge-based economy which is a critical ingredient for ensuring Kenya's competitiveness in the global arena. Mr. Speaker, Sir, as hon. Members are aware, the post election violence experienced this year did not spare the education sector. Many schools and other learning institutions were badly affected by either being burnt or vandalised. In this regard, my Ministry, in conjunction with the Ministry of State for Special Programmes, has already embarked on a major programme of reconstruction and rehabilitation. To that effect, a total sum of Kshs345.6 million has already been released to finance this very urgent expenditure. These resources were made available following consultations with our development partners who fund the sector through the pool. The reconstruction\\rehabilitation programme will adopt a phased out approach and work for phase I is already on-going targeting Molo and Trans Nzoia East districts at a total cost of Kshs123.6 million. Phases II and III will target 23 districts in Nyanza, Western, Rift Valley, Central and Nairobi provinces at a total cost of Kshs295.8 million. 2496 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES October 7, 2008 Mr. Speaker, Sir, hon. Members should note that the phasing of this programme is based on wider Government resettlement programme and targets destroyed institutions as well as those that have admitted huge numbers of displaced learners. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the Government intends to mainstream Early Childhood Education (ECE) into basic education by 2010 in line with the Sessional Paper No.1 of 2005 on Policy Framework for Education, Training and Research. It is envisaged by 2010, the Government will meet the wage bill of Early Childhood Development (ECD) managers as the first phase of ECD integration. In readiness for this eventuality, my Ministry has enhanced the allocation for the ECD sub-sector from Kshs42 million in the last financial year to Kshs221 million this year to finance preparatory activities. Some of these activities include increasing the ECD centres benefitting from the community support grants from the current 3,448 to 8,000, raising the number of diploma teacher training colleges for ECD from 12 to 26 to enhance quality dissemination and implementation of the ECD policy at the grassroots level among others. Mr. Speaker, Sir, my Ministry remains committed to meeting our national and international commitments including the Millennium Development Goals (MDG), education for all through the delivery of policies set out in the Sessional Paper No.1 of 2005. In this regard, my Ministry continues to implement the Kenya Education Sector Support Programme (KESSP) which is the operational framework for the implementation of sector investment programme. KESSP provides a strong foundation for sector development and is intended to facilitate the realisation of our sector goals. Mr. Speaker, Sir, hon. Members will recall that KESSP was designed to be implemented for five years from July, 2005 to June, 2010 at an initial cost of Kshs542 billion. However, following the success of the free primary education and the rapid expansion of the secondary sub- sector, we will need much more resources than was initially estimated. With this in mind, I wish to take this opportunity to appeal for more support from our partners in meeting the financing gaps that exist so as to make this very important programme a reality. Mr. Speaker, Sir, as a Ministry, we are firmly committed to consolidation of the gains that have accrued from the implementation of the free primary education which has seen enrolment increase from 5.9 million children to 8.2 million children currently. This rapid growth has exerted enormous pressure on the secondary sub-sector, thus pushing transition from primary to secondary school level from 47 per cent in 2003 to 70 per cent in 2008. As a result, enrolment in our secondary schools has risen from 778,000 in 2002 to 1.3 million children currently. This fast growth and the high levels of poverty in many households demand increased support to the poor who cannot afford to meet the cost of secondary accommodation. In an attempt to make secondary education more accessible, the Government, with effect from January, 2008, initiated the implementation of free day secondary school education programme on a per capita basis of Kshs10,000 per student in public secondary schools. Mr. Speaker, Sir, as hon. Members are aware, despite this impressive record, we still have many children out of schools especially in urban slums and ASAL regions. In addition, many schools, both primary and secondary are in a poor state of repair and have inadequate classrooms and other facilities to cater for the learning needs of the increasing numbers of children. Some schools in ASAL areas, pockets of poverty and informal settlements, lack the necessary sanitation facilities making learning environment unattractive especially for the girl child. In addition, there is also need to address the plight of the most vulnerable children such as orphans, those with special needs and others, in order to ensure that they enrol in schools, are retained and transit to higher levels. Arising from acute shortage of teachers, especially, at primary and secondary levels, the pupil to teacher ratios have gone to unacceptable high levels particulary October 7, 2008 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 2497 in urban slums, high population areas and some rural ASAL districts, thus impacting negatively on quality of education. Mr. Speaker, Sir, in addition, shortage of quality assurance and standards officers continues to undermine the critical role they are supposed to play in ensuring effective curriculum delivery. The adult basic education sub-sector, too, is constrained by lack of adequate numbers of adult education teachers, the high turnover and a low number of adult literacy centres. It has suffered negative perception by many Kenyan adults. Mr. Speaker, Sir, although efforts are underway to promote Information and Communication Technology (ICT) as well as science and technology education, investment towards provision of ICT infrastructure remains very low due to resources constraints. This is a major challenge to us as a nation given the critical role that ICT, science and technology play in modern development. We need to invest more in these areas if Kenya is to become internationally competitive. In addition, I would like to assure hon. Members that we are working hard to strengthen the delivery of the approved curriculum. In this regard, we are strengthening the directive on quality assurance and standards through the recruitment of more officers. On 1st July, 334 Quality Assurance and Standards Officers recruited by the Public Service Commission reported to their stations. Further, Mr. Speaker, Sir, we have extended our in-service training under the SMASSE Programme to primary teachers training colleges. From this year, trainers of primary school teachers will undergo training under SMASSE so as to improve their curriculum delivery skills in science and mathematics. It is our hope that this will lead to better science and mathematics teachers in our primary schools. Mr. Speaker, Sir, education and training entails heavy investment in material resources and human capital. Unfortunately, Government resources are not enough to finance all the national needs. For this reason, we shall continue to call for contributions from all our development partners. In this regard, I take this opportunity to thank all hon. Members for their continued support, particularly through Constituency Development Fund (CDF). I also urge them to keep up this support for the good of present and future generations. However, I appeal for greater co- operation in our district development efforts so as to minimise duplication and waste of resources. As we plan and develop our new schools, let us bear in mind that we have a limited number of teachers. For this reason, more efforts need to be placed on functioning of existing schools and only building new ones where they are absolutely essential. If we do not take precaution, we may end up with schools without teachers. For this reasons, all Members of Parliament are encouraged to consult with the District Education Boards before they start any new schools. They also need to ensure that the relevant technical department is involved in the construction to ensure appropriate standards are met. Provision of education to adults is an important vehicle for creating an enlightened human resource and chain-relating self-employment. Adult education enables adults to acquire knowledge, skills, values and attitudes, which are a prerequisite for meaningful and active participation of the individual in national development. Mr. Speaker, Sir, hon. Members will recall that the National Literacy Survey, 2006 revealed that seven to eight million Kenyan adults and out-of-school youths are functionally illiterate. With this high rate of functional illiteracy in the country, it means that we cannot make headway towards the desired economic recovery because this hinders full participation of communities in productive activities that are aimed at improving their livelihoods. The realisation of the target set in Vision 2030 requires a functionally literate adult population, which can effectively contribute to economic production and participate in the democratic processes. For this reason, we need to have more resources allocated in this sub-sector in order to address some of the 2498 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES October 7, 2008 issues relating to productivity and enhancement of the democratic process in our national life. Mr. Speaker, Sir, this financial year my Ministry has been allocated Kshs106,952,678,070 in the Recurrent Vote, and Kshs10,573,934,488 in the Development Vote. The Recurrent Estimates reflect an addition of Kshs10,365,798,300 from last year's Budgetary allocation of Kshs96,006,871,700, while the Development Estimates reflect an increase of Kshs1,067,501,988 over last year's allocation of Kshs9,506,432,500. I now wish to highlight the major programmes in my Ministry's Budget where the above would be applied. Mr. Speaker, Sir, regarding the Recurrent Expenditure, Vote D31, the Ministry's recurrent Budget is made up of six Sub-Votes, with an allocation of Kshs106,952,670,000 distributed as follows: Kshs20 million will go towards implementation of Phase II of the School Mapping Project, which will basically entail analysis of data and development of district atlases. The first phase of the project was completed in November, 2007. The output of this phase involved the development of geo-data base, comprising of all learning institutions countrywide. The database is geo-partial in nature and contains geographic locations of all schools/institutions, general information on schools/institutions in both the public and the private sector, teaching and non-teaching staff, enrolment facilities available and their fiscal condition. Head 834 - Headquarters and Administrative Services - will have Kshs475,113,018, which will cater for the salaries and other operational expenses of the headquarters support departments such as administration, finance, accounts, personnel, procurement, ICT and so on . Under Head 838 - Kenya National Commission for UNESCO - Kenya's Permanent Representative to UNESCO and the Commonwealth Education Office in London will get Kshs114,216,969. The provision under this head will cater for the cost of maintaining our office for the Permanent Representative to the UNESCO in Paris, as well as the Kenya National Commission for UNESCO in Nairobi and Commonwealth and our education office in London. Head 839 - Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) - will have an allocation of Kshs437 million. These are grants given to the KNEC to supplement fees collected from candidates to run examinations and expenses in the council secretariat. The allocation includes an additional amount of Kshs87 million to upgrade KNEC'S ICT capacity. Head 841 - The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) -will get an allocation of Kshs78,800,557,285. The allocation under this Head will service the TSC Secretariat and meet payment of teachers salaries. During the current financial year the Government will spend Kshs78 billion on teachers and TSC secretariat salaries, and it includes Kshs1.5 billion earmarked for recruitment of the 6,000 additional teachers. A further Kshs648 million will be used to finance operations and maintenance expenses. Head 845 - Schools Audit Unit, Kshs84,624,327. The allocation on this Head facilitates the activities of the schools unit which is charged with the responsibility of auditing all public schools and public tertiary training institutions to ensure proper utilisation of public resources. Head 837 and 862 - Provincial and District Education Services; Kshs2,120,683,314. The allocation under this Head will cater for the administrative costs for the running of our provincial and district education services. That will include purchase of vehicles for the new districts and their operations. Head 810 - Post Primary Schools; Kshs110 million. Those funds would be utilised as grants to special technical schools which cater for children with special needs. Those include the current Technical Institute for the Deaf, Nyangoma Technical Institute for the Deaf, Machakos Institute for the Blind, Sekriti Technical Institute for the Blind and the Kenyatta Institute for the blind. Head 811 - Special Secondary Schools; Kshs100 million. Those funds will be spent to give grants to special secondary schools which include, among many others, Thika Secondary School for the Blind, Joy Town Secondary School for the Physically Handicapped, Gucha Secondary October 7, 2008 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 2499 School for the Deaf, Joyland Secondary School, Mombasa Secondary School, St. Angelus, Mumias and Rev. Muhoho Secondary School. Head 816 - Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE); Kshs221,483,816. This allocation will cater for expenses relating to in-service of pre-school teachers under the ECDE Programme and community support grants. Head 844 - Directorate of Basic Education; Kshs8,804,261,471. Under this Head, the main course relates to grants for teaching and learning materials for all public primary schools under the Free Primary Education Programme, as well as the administrative costs for the Directorate of Basic Education. In the current financial year, an allocation of Kshs8.6 billion will finance free primary education, out of which, Kshs375 million will be given as grants to low cost boarding primary schools in ASAL areas and pockets of poverty. Co curricula activities for primary schools will also be allocated Kshs190 million during this period. Head 846 - School Feeding Programme; Kshs606,326,521. Part of that allocation will cater for the cost of contribution, distribution of foodstuff donated by the World Food Programme to schools under the Schools Feeding Programme in ASALs and pockets of poverty. An amount of Kshs400,070,500 will be for purchase of foodstuff to meet the expected shortfall. Head 847 - Primary Teachers Training Colleges; Kshs214,216,000. The funds allocated under this Head will cater for the operations of 19 primary teacher training colleges. Head 848 - Special Primary Schools; Kshs210 million. Mr. Speaker, Sir, hon. Members are aware that we have many primary schools that require that support and, therefore, that vote will be captured under that level. Head 852 - Kenya Institute of Special Education; Kshs77,749,022. That allocation will take care of the special needs of education. Sub-Vote 312 - Quality Assurance and Standards; Kshs210,190,914. That allocation is for the operations and salaries of that department. Sub-Vote 313 - Secondary and Tertiary Education; Kshs16,835,353,369. This Vote, of course, will take care of diploma teacher training colleges and other secondary institutions. Head 835 - Directorate of Secondary Tertiary Education; Kshs4,057,178,000. That will take care of the three day secondary schools and there are sub-heads there that we will be able to debate during the current debate. Heads 547, 568 and 847 are for Kibabii and Kagumo Teachers Colleges, and Centres for Mathematics. They have been allocated Kshs14.8 million. Head 314 - Directorate of Policy and Planning; Kshs210,481,164. Sub-Vote 315, Department of Adult Education, is a new department which is in my Ministry. It has been allocated Kshs721,000,275. Under the Development and Recurrent Expenditure, we have Kshs10,573,934,488, with the Government contribution of Kshs1,633,000,000. The rest of the money comes from development partners. Sub-Vote 310 - General Administration and Planning; Kshs581 million. That amount will take care of the administrative services both at the headquarters and other places. Of course, I have mentioned the Kenya National Examinations Council and the Teachers Service Commission. An amount of Kshs350 million has been set aside for the completion of the headquarters of Kenya National Examinations Council and Teachers Service Commission. Of course, for the Head on District Services, Kshs94 million has been set aside to develop our districts. Sub-Vote 311 on Basic Education will require an amount of Kshs9,005,034,488 which will also finance some of those expenditures. Mr. Speaker, Sir, you will see that from Sub-Vote 313, Secondary and Tertiary Education under Development Expenditure, will require an amount of Kshs848,950,000, out of which, a sum 2500 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES October 7, 2008 of Kshs293 million will be spent to provide science laboratory equipment to our institutions. An additional Kshs180 million will go to Kibabii Teachers Training College. Under Sub-Vote 314, the Directorate of Policy Planning will require Kshs133,100,000 for purposes of running that department. Under Sub-Vote 315, the Department of Adult Education will require Kshs5,850,000. That amount will cater for the refurbishment of Kakemga/Ahero Multi Purpose Training Institute and its training purposes. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I would like to take this opportunity to, once again, on behalf of the Government, acknowledge the contribution of our development partners and you, as Members of Parliament, for what you are doing today. I will be able to make some further comments in my final reply to the debate in this House. But may I say that reports from the field reflect many situations of localised marginalisation of some areas. In each region, one comes across such events. I want to appeal that we pay special attention to some of those things. Mr. Speaker, Sir, allow me to emphasise the need for close collaboration and partnership in all that we do in education, in order to avoid unnecessary duplication and wastage of resources. I urge all hon. Members to consult with us and the District Education Boards at all times on resource utilisation. I wish to inform all Kenyans that we shall remain steadfast in ensuring that available public resources are distributed equitably across the country. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to move. I will be seconded by the former Minister for Education and now, the current Minister of State for Provincial Administration and Internal Security, Prof. Saitoti."
}