380,000 Students In Public Schools Miss on Gov’t FundingApproximately 380,000 students in Kenya are not receiving government funding despite attending public schools and having meals, according to Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu.
He attributed this issue to inaccurate student enrollment data provided by school administrators, who sometimes delegate the responsibility to individuals lacking the ability to verify the information. Some administrators enter students’ data inaccurately in cyber cafes, resulting in incorrect entries sent to the ministry for funding allocation.
Machogu highlighted various issues related to data accuracy, such as incorrect bank account details, categorizing students as “pending,” misrepresenting school levels, and omitting essential information.
Additionally, some students lack necessary documents like birth certificates, preventing their inclusion in the National Education Management Information System (NEMIS) and making them ineligible for funding.
Also Read:Â KCPE Marking To Kick of Next Week as Results Set to Be Released On this Date
380,000 Students In Public Schools Miss on Gov’t Funding
The Education Ministry is considering the adoption of a new biometric registration system to address these challenges and ensure accurate enrollment data. The transition to a biometric system is expected to help mitigate issues related to students in schools.
Machogu clarified that while students without birth certificates can register on NEMIS for enrollment purposes, capitation funds are provided only to registered students with birth certificates. This measure aims to prevent the possibility of fictitious students and excessive allocation of funds to schools.
The government is working with the Ministry of the Interior to expedite the enrollment of students for the necessary documents. Despite the requirement for valid documents, the ministry is committed to ensuring that no school is denied funding. Efforts will be made to identify students lacking the necessary documentation through collaboration with Sub-County Directors of Education.
