We released Sh16.9bn capitation fees in April, says CS Magoha

Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha wants teachers to focus on their work after the government released capitation fees of Sh16.9 billion.

Magoha said some school heads were still complaining in the media that they had not received the money yet the ministry had disbursed the funds.

The Education CS was speaking on Wednesday when he toured the ongoing construction of a library and resource centre at Ogande Girls High School in Homa Bay.

He said the government disbursed the capitation fund in April and told teachers to focus on their duties and utilise public funds prudently.

“It’s good to say the truth so that you don’t misinform people. We issued the money at the beginning of the current term,” Magoha said.

Instead, the CS said they are keen to ensure there is value for money to enable students get quality education.

With less than two months remaining for President Uhuru Kenyatta’s tenure, Magoha warned education officials against laxity.

He argued that some officials may take advantage of the little time remaining under the Jubilee administration to misuse the funds.

The CS said services must be delivered effectively to enable children get quality education.

“Magoha is still the Cabinet secretary in charge of Education until I handover to another person. I won’t give anyone room to misuse public funds,” he said.

On the Competency-Based Curriculum, he said the new curriculum must be implemented as planned.

He admitted there are some challenges the curriculum is facing but they cannot deter its implementation.

In the company of PS for Basic Education Julius Jwan, county commissioner Moses Lilan and Homa Bay director of education Eunice Khaemba, Magoha said they will continue to train teachers to undertake the implementation of CBC.

“There is no government that will have enough teachers in Kenya but learning must continue. The issue of teacher shortage should not be viewed as an obstacle to CBC implementation,” he said.

(Edited by Tabnacha O)