It also emerged that many children may drop out of school if the MPs fail to approve an additional Sh500 million towards the feeding programme.
Ministry documents show that Sh1.8 billion is needed to cater for the food programme for primary schoolchildren in marginalised areas.
Kipsang told MPs that cutting the budget will negatively affect access, retention and transition of children in marginalised and vulnerable areas of the country.
The two are among four issues the PS flagged out in the 2019/20 budget.
Increased enrolment
Kipsang also said another Sh1.7 billion gap exists in the provision of infrastructure in schools.
The PS said 100 per cent transition has increased the target enrolment of schools, hence the need to expand infrastructural facilities to reduce congestion in public institutions.
“To urgently address this need, the State Department requires Sh2.9 billion in the 2019/20 financial year,” said Kipsang.
Only Sh1.2 billion has been allocated, according to the PS.
Also listed with a budget has is the Kenya Primary Education Development Project.
The PS said some Sh566 million is needed to cater for ongoing contracts and to facilitate outstanding activities in the work plan.
MPs heard that the project had been under implementation since 2015 and is coming to an end this month.
“However, it will have a grace period of four months in line with the Financing Agreement from June 28 to October 30, 2019,” Kipsang said.
