The Ministry of Education has appealed to Parliament for additional funding to bridge a KSh71.77 billion budget deficit affecting key programmes in the education sector.

Appearing before the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Education chaired by MP Julius Melly to review the 2026/27 budget estimates, Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok said the funding gap has affected capitation, textbook procurement, payment of examination invigilators, school feeding programmes and the construction of Grade 9 classrooms.

The PS also revealed government plans to merge capitation for primary and junior schools starting next financial year, saying the move is informed by the shared learning environment under one institution.

Bitok further revealed that the government is pushing for the establishment of comprehensive schools bringing together primary, junior and senior schools under one institution to improve efficiency and maximize available resources.

At the same time, the Ministry plans to establish eight regional Special Needs Education assessment centres across the country to complement the Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE).

He also reaffirmed that the Ministry will work with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to take disciplinary action against school principals who continue withholding certificates from former students despite government directives.