IGRTC clarifies devolution of education support functions

The Intergovernmental Relations Technical Committee (IGRTC) clarifies devolution of education support functionss calling on counties to enter into an Intergovernmental partnership agreement with the National Government on educational support to effectively coordinate the devolving of the function.

The calls come following a circular from the office of the Controller of Budget on functions of County Governments towards the provision of education support.

In the circular, the Controller of Budget said the process requires the formulation of an Intergovernmental agreement which must be executed by an authorized person and published in the Kenya Gazette.

The Committee Vice Chairperson Saadia Kontoma noted that the majority of pre-primary, primary and secondary education institutions are interlinked and the absence of legislation to govern the issuance of bursaries and scholarships in the country places the functions under the purview of the national government.

Kontoma, further, added that an intergovernmental agreement will ensure mechanisms are put in place to fund functions transferred to the devolved unit.

In the circular to County Executive Committee Members for the Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakang’o noted that part 1 of the fourth schedule under section 16 of the constitution designates universities tertiary educational institutions, primary schools, special education, secondary schools and special education institutions as functions of national government.

“Therefore, for a devolved unit to offer educational support towards those functions the process must adhere to provisions of Article 187 of the constitution and Section 26 of the Intergovernmental Relations Act, Cap 265F which require the formulation of an intergovernmental agreement which must be executed by an authorized person and published in the Kenya Gazette,” read the circular.