Ministry of Education On The Spot Over Ksh.4.5B For CBC Classes
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the National Assembly has called for a special audit of the Ksh. 4.5 billion allocated for the establishment of classrooms under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC). The committee’s objective is to scrutinize how these funds were expended, the criteria for selecting contractors, and whether the public received a satisfactory return on this investment.
Dr. Belio Kipsang, the principal secretary for basic education, informed the committee that the ministry had involved the community in the contractor selection process. However, committee members challenged this claim and demanded evidence of community participation in choosing contractors for specific school construction projects.
Oundo Mudenyo, a member of parliament from Funyula, expressed doubts about the extent of community involvement and criticized the Director of County Education for not consulting critical stakeholders like elected Members of Parliament. He highlighted the lack of transparency when MPs, representing their communities, were unaware of these developments.
Mudenyo also raised concerns about the implementation of the competency-based curriculum (CBC), pointing out that new classrooms were being constructed without clear communication or a comprehensive understanding of the process.
Rarieda MP Otiende Omollo stressed the importance of transparency and community participation in contractor procurement for projects in his constituency. He emphasized the need for evidence showing how the community was engaged in selecting these contractors.
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Despite these concerns, the PS maintained that community involvement had taken place, with a multi-agency team targeting capable contractors for the classroom construction. This team will provide comprehensive evidence regarding contractor registration and communication procedures.
MPs further questioned the quality of the constructed classrooms, expressing puzzlement over why contractors received full payment despite potential legal violations. They were worried that taxpayers might incur additional costs to repair defective classrooms.
Lugari MP Nabii Nabwera criticized the quality of classrooms in his constituency, likening them to inadequate shelter during rain. He highlighted the subpar quality of these classrooms.
In response, the PS mentioned an ongoing special audit to assess the building quality and acknowledged the possibility of defects. However, he noted that these classrooms are in use at schools, and an official report will be provided once the audit is completed.
Ministry of Education On The Spot Over Ksh.4.5B For CBC Classes
