Magoha’s response after he was asked to explain why payment of BoM teachers delayed

Education Cabinet Secretary (CS) Prof. George Magoha now says Board of Management (BoM) teachers have received, or are in the process of receiving, their salaries after they went for close to four months without their remuneration.

The Cabinet minister’s assurance comes on the back of allegations that very few of the BoM teachers, have been paid by the ministry.

Magoha in late July 2020 said the ministry had released funds to pay BoM teachers, who, at the time, had gone for a quarter of the year without their salaries.

However, over a month later, it emerged that the affected tutors had not been paid, causing confusion in the education circles.

Today (Saturday, September 19), the CS assured Kenyans that most of the BoM teachers had received their salaries. Magoha said despite the Education ministry approving payment of BoM teachers two months ago, only a few received their pay because there was little funds in the State’s Education kitty.

“I take full responsibility [for the delayed payment of BoM teachers],” said Magoha, who toured TVET institutions in Kakamega County on Saturday.

“I agree that the dynamics could have been a little bit difficult at the beginning… What you are forgetting, is that we have to collect tax from you first, then it goes to the Government, which collects enough money and puts it in a basket. Thereafter, the Government uses the money to settle its debts.

“The approval for payment of Board of Management teachers was made over two months ago; you have to understand this. We don’t pluck money from the air. The BoM teachers have now been paid, and some would continue receiving their funds,” said Magoha.

Asked by a journalist to address claims that some BoM teachers as late as Friday, September 18, hadn’t received their monies, the minister said: “Can you now check with them? Check with them!”