The national government is reviewing the manner of remitting capitation to learning institutions so as to avoid delays, Kaharu MP Ndindi Nyoro has said. Timely remittance of capitation to schools, Ndindi said, will ensure students are not sent home to collect fee balances, and this will give the learners ample time to concentrate on their studies. The legislator, who is also chairperson of the parliamentary committee for budget and appropriation, asked school heads not to increase fees as the government, in the current financial budget, has allocated more than Sh. 840 billion to the education sector. Ndindi spoke when he delivered a school bus to Our Lady of Consolata Mugoiri Girls High School on Tuesday, a bus that was promised by President William Ruto when he visited the school a month ago. The lawmaker explained that timely remittance of capitation will reduce financial challenges in schools, saying teachers will have no reason to send students home. He added that timely remittance of the capitation will also ease the burden on the shoulders of parents, hence the need to review the manner in which the money is channelled to learning institutions. ‘School heads should avoid increasing fees for learners under the guise of delay in remittance of capitation and high cost of living. The government very soon will ensure the money is sent at the beginning of terms,’ he noted. The chairperson also pointed out that the delay in tax payments created a gap in the government’s delivery of services, calling on the learning institutions’ heads to be a little bit patient as the capitation problem will be resolved once and for all. ‘The government is working out a plan to increase capitation for Junior Secondary Schools, normal capitation for primary and secondary schools, and even in tertiary colleges.’ He stated. Ndindi further observed that the maximum amount of fees a student in a tertiary college or university will be required to pay is only seven per cent, while the rest of the money will be paid through government grants and loans from the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB). He said that in line with this, 45,000 students in Kenya will be joining universities and colleges without paying any fees in a programme where the government is sponsoring the needy who cannot afford the required seven per cent. ‘Out of the Sh. 3.7 trillion Kenyan budget, 6.7 per cent has been directed to education because it is indeed an equalizer.’ Ndindi remarked. Meanwhile, the MP expressed optimism about the recovery of the country’s economy, saying inflation has gone to about 6.7 per cent. ‘The government is doing a lot to lower the cost of living, and with all the measures put in place, the inflation will go down much and Kenyans will be relieved from the high prices of common commodities,’ he noted, calling Kenyans to be a bit patient as the economy stabilises. During the event, the School Principal Ms. Susan Mundia led the students in receiving the school bus, thanking the president for honouring his promise and Kiharu MP, who had made the request on their behalf.
Source: Kenya News Agency