Education Ministry Shifts Blame to Parliament over Fate of Free Day Secondary Education

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By Ongaga Ongaga

The Ministry of Education has distanced itself from claims that the government is pulling back on its commitment to free secondary education.

Instead, the Ministry shifted blame to Parliament for budget shortfalls that have affected funding for public day secondary schools.

In a press statement issued Saturday and signed by Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba, the ministry sought to clarify remarks made during a recent appearance before the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Education.

The statement appears to counter media reports suggesting that the government is backtracking on the Free Day Secondary Education Programme.

“Free and compulsory basic education is a constitutional right of every child,” said Ogamba, invoking Article 53 of the Constitution.

“The Government has neither the intention nor the power to abrogate this sacrosanct right.”

The controversy was ignited on Thursday, July 24, when Cabinet Secretary for National Treasury and Economic Planning, John Mbadi Ng’ong’o, appeared alongside Ogamba before Parliament.

During the session, the two revealed that current funding levels at Ksh. 22,244 per learner annually, have not been met in recent years due to underfunding by Parliament, despite a surge in student enrollment linked to the government’s 100% transition policy.

The Ministry now says it will “proactively lobby” Parliament for increased allocations to bridge the current resource gap.

“The Government will work to fulfil its duty of providing access to quality education for all our children,” Ogamba said.

Observers see the statement as a thinly veiled effort by the executive arm of government to deflect growing public concern over the sustainability of the free secondary education programme amid economic constraints.

Critics argue that the education sector has long been subjected to political ping-pong, with technocrats and legislators blaming each other whenever services falter.

The standoff comes at a time when parents are feeling the pinch of hidden school levies, and headteachers are openly decrying late or inadequate disbursement of funds meant to keep the free education policy afloat.

While the Ministry has reaffirmed its commitment to the programme, questions remain as to whether Parliament will respond with corresponding urgency, or whether learners will continue to bear the brunt of delayed funding.