The State Department for Higher Education and Research is facing a budget deficit of Sh39.5 billion for recurrent expenditure, a report to Departmental Committee on Education and Research shows.
The report said the recurrent expenditure requirement for the 2023/2024 Financial Year was Sh153.9 billion against an allocation of Sh114.3 billion.
“It’s worthwhile to note that there was a slight increment in net allocation as a result of allocations towards strategic intervention amounting to Sh6.9 billion,” the report said.
It noted that the amount was provided to address the shortfall in universities' salaries and enhancement of funding of government-sponsored students in public (Sh5.9 billion) and private universities (Sh1 billion).
The committee received the report during consideration of the 2023/24 estimates of revenue and expenditure.
On development expenditure, the State Department was allocated Sh3.3 billion against a requirement of Sh12.4 billion resulting in a shortfall of Sh9 billion.
The State Department noted that is establishing The Open University of Kenya which is the Ministry of Education’s priority area under the category of Quick Wins deliverables by June 2023.
“It is also a high priority area for the Financial Year 2023/24 and, a Medium/Long Term priority to be mainstreamed in MTP IV (2023 – 2027),” the report added.
The Open University of Kenya will draw on digital technology to address barriers to participation in education.
The university is expected to increase access to university education cost-effectively.
The report noted that the Sector Working Group allocated Sh170 million against a requirement of Sh1.4 billion towards its establishment.
