MPs query surplus funds for education ministry
Apr 20, 2006
MPS on the budget committee yesterday queried the sh41.9b requested by the ministry of education as supplementary budget for the financial year 2005/6.
By Mary Karugaba
MPS on the budget committee yesterday queried the sh41.9b requested by the ministry of education as supplementary budget for the financial year 2005/6.
This is in addition to the sh634.5b allocated to the sector in this financial year’s budget which represented about 17.2% of the total national budget.
Out of total allocated to the sector, sh13b was to supplement the salary of primary teachers from sh130,000 to sh140,000 per month.
The supplementary budget presented to MPs for approval by the finance ministry showed that education had the biggest share, accounting for 27.5%.
A total of sh152.2b is being applied for as supplementary expenditure arising from the budget pressures during the first nine months of the financial year 2005/06.
Scrutinising the supplementary budget request, the committee headed by Beatrice Kiraso, observed that most of the funds requested for were spent on wages and salaries rather than development.
The MPs said whereas the supplementary budget is meant for unforeseen items, ministries were taking the offer for granted.
“How can the ministry of Education surely present unforeseen items worth sh41.9b? Why didn’t it present such the needs during budget allocations?†matsiko Kabakumba asked.
MP William Nsubuga complained about the ministry’s expenditure on bursaries, saying many districts do not have beneficiaries.
Ends
MPS on the budget committee yesterday queried the sh41.9b requested by the ministry of education as supplementary budget for the financial year 2005/6.
This is in addition to the sh634.5b allocated to the sector in this financial year’s budget which represented about 17.2% of the total national budget.
Out of total allocated to the sector, sh13b was to supplement the salary of primary teachers from sh130,000 to sh140,000 per month.
The supplementary budget presented to MPs for approval by the finance ministry showed that education had the biggest share, accounting for 27.5%.
A total of sh152.2b is being applied for as supplementary expenditure arising from the budget pressures during the first nine months of the financial year 2005/06.
Scrutinising the supplementary budget request, the committee headed by Beatrice Kiraso, observed that most of the funds requested for were spent on wages and salaries rather than development.
The MPs said whereas the supplementary budget is meant for unforeseen items, ministries were taking the offer for granted.
“How can the ministry of Education surely present unforeseen items worth sh41.9b? Why didn’t it present such the needs during budget allocations?†matsiko Kabakumba asked.
MP William Nsubuga complained about the ministry’s expenditure on bursaries, saying many districts do not have beneficiaries.
Ends