PS Bitok Dismisses Claims Free Education Will Be Scrapped, Backs Bigger Budget
Speaking during a prize-giving ceremony at St. Thomas Girls’ Secondary School in Kilifi, PS Bitok dismissed the claims circulating in the media.
“Parents have no reason to worry. The government has no intention of scrapping free education,” Bitok stated firmly.
His remarks came just days after Treasury CS John Mbadi dropped a bombshell in Parliament. Mbadi had announced that capitation for secondary schools was being reduced from Ksh22,244 to Ksh16,900 per student, citing mounting debt and financial pressure.
This news immediately triggered panic, especially among low-income families relying on government funding to keep their children in school.
“If you look at the total budget for the year and divide it by the number of students, you will see that instead of Ksh22,000, we are funding about Ksh16,000,” Mbadi told lawmakers.
“And so we release 50 per cent, 30 per cent, then 20 per cent. As to whether it is enough, it is not,” he added.
However, Bitok quickly moved to ease the public’s fears.
“We will lobby Parliament to increase the education budget to ensure learners are not burdened with extra costs,” he assured.
Bitok confirmed that the Ministry of Education is committed to fighting for more funds. This includes lobbying for full capitation and absorbing examination expenses, especially at a time when parents are battling the high cost of living.
“We are focused on keeping every child in school. Education remains the cornerstone of our national development,” Bitok said.
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The PS also hailed the late President Mwai Kibaki for launching the free education initiative in 2003, which transformed millions of lives and improved Kenya’s literacy rates.
“Free education is not just a policy. It is a legacy that must be protected at all costs,” he emphasized.
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As debate over budget cuts rages on, all eyes now shift to Parliament and the Ministry of Education. Will they act swiftly to protect a programme that millions depend on?
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PS Bitok Dismisses Claims Free Education Will Be Scrapped, Backs Bigger Budget
