Sh5.9 billion reallocated to cover 2025 national exams amid education budget cuts
The National Assembly's Departmental Committee on Education proposed this reallocation, which will draw from recurrent capitation funds allocated to junior schools (Sh2 billion), secondary schools (Sh3 billion), and primary schools (Sh900 million).
Parents and students can now breathe a sigh of relief after the National Assembly approved a reallocation of Sh5.9 billion to fund the upcoming 2025 national examinations.
The decision comes after widespread concern over initial budget estimates that completely excluded funding for the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC), which administers the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA), Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA), and Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams scheduled for September.
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The National Assembly's Departmental Committee on Education proposed this reallocation, which will draw from recurrent capitation funds allocated to junior schools (Sh2 billion), secondary schools (Sh3 billion), and primary schools (Sh900 million). This adjustment is now under consideration by the Budget and Appropriations Committee (BAC).
According to the committee’s report on the 2025/26 budget, “There is a proposed increment of Sh5.9 billion for examination administration and invigilation for provision for national examinations which had not been provided in the budget.”
This move is critical since the total budget needed for the 2025 KPSEA, KJSEA, and KCSE exams stands at Sh12.58 billion.
The initial budget estimates presented to the National Assembly revealed a shortfall of Sh62 billion for the education sector and showed zero allocation for exam administration and invigilation, causing alarm among education stakeholders.
Julius Melly, chairman of the committee, had issued a firm warning that the committee would not submit its budget report without the exam funds reinstated. “We shall not write our report without the examination money,” Melly said during a hearing with Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok.
PS Bitok was ordered to work with the Treasury to submit an updated budget that restores crucial funding for examinations, school capitation, quality assurance, and the school feeding programme.
National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi reassured parents, saying, “There will be a review on the approach and structure of exam management, including a rethink on who gets a government subsidy on payable fees.”
He emphasised that there is no need to panic as examination funding will be provided.
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