Recent investigations in Baringo County have uncovered the alarming existence of ghost schools.
The institutions lack any physical infrastructure, teachers, or students, yet display elaborate signboards and gates, giving the illusion of functioning educational facilities. READ FULL STORY
Notable examples include Kampi ya Nyasi Secondary School which has been reported to exist only on paper, raising serious concerns about potential fraud related to government funding meant for the education sector.
A recent report showed that despite not existing, the school has been receiving funds from the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF).
Following an exposé in May, the Ministry of Education initiated an inquiry into these mysterious schools, which are suspected of being a front for siphoning public funds through capitation grants meant for actual learners.
The then Education CS Ezekiel Machogu called for a comprehensive audit to thoroughly investigate the legitimacy of these institutions and their financial dealings, emphasizing the need for accountability and transparency in the education system.
At the same time, Baringo North MP Joseph Makilap has vehemently denied any involvement in the establishment of these ghost schools, asserting that the signboards were erected solely to protect the land from potential grabbers rather than to mislead the public.
However, this explanation has done little to quell the growing outrage among the general public, who are questioning the accountability of local authorities and the potential misuse of educational funds that could have otherwise been used to improve the quality of education and infrastructure in actual schools.
The revelation of ghost schools in Baringo County has sparked a nationwide conversation about the need for stricter oversight and auditing procedures in the education sector.
Education experts and civil society organizations have called for the implementation of robust monitoring systems to ensure that government funds are being utilized effectively and reaching students and teachers in genuine schools.
As the investigation continues, the public eagerly awaits the findings of the Ministry of Education’s audit, hoping that it will shed light on the extent of the problem and lead to the prosecution of those responsible for the misuse of public resources.
