From the editor: Monitor expenditure at grassroots
Jun 23, 2010
OVER the last five years, the budget allocation to the education sector has been increasing steadily. This financial year, the increment is aimed at improving the quality of schooling through construction of more classrooms, teaching, inspection and sanitation in schools.
OVER the last five years, the budget allocation to the education sector has been increasing steadily. This financial year, the increment is aimed at improving the quality of schooling through construction of more classrooms, teaching, inspection and sanitation in schools.
It has been pointed out that the long procurement process in the education ministry hinders schools’ development programmes. In addition, sh16b meant for teacher recruitment in the 2009/10 financial year was returned to the treasury due to lack of district service commissions in some districts.
The Government’s effort at prioritising education is commendable. However, the challenges faced in the budget implementation demonstrate the need to streamline the system.
The extra sh60b allocated to the education sector might not make a huge impact unless the education ministry closely monitors expenditure at grassroots. For example, it is a disservice to the child for the districts to return sh16b meant to recruit teachers when many schools under the Universal Primary Education programme are choking with high pupil teacher ratios.
Even as the education ministry upholds accountability in expenditure, long procurement procedures that frustrate development programmes should be discouraged. The education ministry should set up a system which monitors the management of finances without delaying or frustrating government programmes.
It has been pointed out that the long procurement process in the education ministry hinders schools’ development programmes. In addition, sh16b meant for teacher recruitment in the 2009/10 financial year was returned to the treasury due to lack of district service commissions in some districts.
The Government’s effort at prioritising education is commendable. However, the challenges faced in the budget implementation demonstrate the need to streamline the system.
The extra sh60b allocated to the education sector might not make a huge impact unless the education ministry closely monitors expenditure at grassroots. For example, it is a disservice to the child for the districts to return sh16b meant to recruit teachers when many schools under the Universal Primary Education programme are choking with high pupil teacher ratios.
Even as the education ministry upholds accountability in expenditure, long procurement procedures that frustrate development programmes should be discouraged. The education ministry should set up a system which monitors the management of finances without delaying or frustrating government programmes.