By Yusuf Ishaku Goje
The Kaduna State government has consistently prioritized education, and as of the 2024 third quarter, the sub-sector received the highest expenditure allocation with N64.9 billion, accounting for 23.7% of the state’s total expenditure in the same period.
Although the sector’s 56.3% performance fell short of the expected 75% third quarter benchmark. Nonetheless, it marked an improvement from the second quarter’s N51.9 billion and surpassed the full-year 2023 performance of N57.2 billion.
To give it context, recall the government had allocated 25% of its 2024 approved total budget, totaling N115.42 billion, to the education sub-sector. Capital expenditure accounted for approximately 71.5%, while the remaining portion was allocated for recurrent expenditure.
Breaking it down further, the Ministry of Education received 51.9%, the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) got 24.1%, and Kaduna State University received 16.2% of the allocated funds of the sub-sector allocation. The remaining six boards, authorities, and institutions collectively received 7.7%.
In 2024, the education sub-sector has a total revenue target of N26.2 billion, divided into N9.3 billion from recurrent revenue, N4.3 billion from aid and grants, and N12.5 billion from the Capital Development Fund. Notably, the largest contributor to this revenue is an international loan/borrowing from the World Bank Agile Programme, accounting for N12.5 billion of the total revenue target.
The impressive third-quarter performance of Kaduna State’s education sub-sector raises important questions about the actual cash backing of these releases. Despite the commendable numbers, concerns linger over whether these allocations have been fully cash-backed.
Civil society budget tracking reports have highlighted instances where MDAs’ capital expenditures lacked timely and adequate cash backing, despite initial releases. The onus now lies with the government to provide transparent, publicly available evidence demonstrating that the education sub-sector performance is indeed 100% cash-backed. This would alleviate concerns and ensure accountability in the utilization of funds.
Likewise, the distribution of the releases raises important questions. As of the third quarter, 37.4% of the releases went to Construction/Provision of Public Schools, totaling N23.6 billion out of the budgeted N42.4 billion, and Rehabilitation/Repairs of Public Schools received N718.7 million out of the budgeted N1.9 billion. However, other critical areas within the sub-sector, despite having relatively low allocations, appear to be receiving insufficient attention, sparking concerns about unbalanced prioritization.
These concerning disparities were: Rehabilitation/Repairs – Libraries (zero releases out of the budgeted N35 million), Construction/Provision of Libraries (zero releases out of N6.5 million) and Purchase of Library Books & Equipment (N8.7 million out of N352.9 million). Others are: Purchase of Teaching/Learning Aid Equipment (N26.9 million out of N1.55 billion), Overhead Cost payment to Schools (N327.0 million out of N1.26 billion) and Female Education Expenses (N2 million out of N12.8 million).
While investing in school infrastructure is crucial, neglecting other vital areas undermines learning outcomes. The State Bureau of Statistics’ Learning Outcome Assessment reveals alarming figures: 74.3% of Primary 4 and 63.3% of Primary 6 children scored below the minimum proficiency level in English EGRA. Finally, to truly impact education, timely and adequate cash-backing is essential, ideally making education expenditures a first-line charge will contribute to effective implementation.
Goje is an active citizen, civil society member and OGP enthusiast
