Govt Reinstates Sh5.9 Billion for KPSEA, KJSEA, and KCSE After Public Outcry.
Parents across Kenya can now relax as the National Assembly has approved a Sh5.9 billion allocation for the administration of national examinations at the primary, junior, and secondary school levels. This decision follows widespread public concern sparked by earlier budget estimates that had failed to allocate any funding to the Kenya National Examinations Council (Knec) for the 2025 assessments.
The examinations in question include the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA), the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA), and the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), all scheduled for September 2025. The allocation was proposed by the National Assembly Committee on Education, which recommended reallocating Sh5.9 billion from other parts of the education budget to support the administration and invigilation of the exams.
According to the committee’s report to the Budget and Appropriations Committee (BAC), the new funds will be drawn from the recurrent capitation budgets: Sh2 billion from junior school, Sh3 billion from secondary school, and Sh900 million from primary school. Despite this effort, the full budgetary requirement for the examinations stands at Sh12.58 billion, leaving a considerable funding gap.
Overall, budget estimates presented to the National Assembly reveal a deficit of Sh62 billion in the education sector. Several critical areas, including examination administration and invigilation, had received zero funding, prompting alarm and frustration among education stakeholders.
The Committee on Education had warned of serious consequences unless exam funding was restored. Chairman Julius Melly declared that the committee would withhold its report until the necessary funds were reinstated. During a session on May 13, he told Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok that the report would remain incomplete unless examination funds were included.
Following the session, the committee instructed the PS to consult with the National Treasury and submit an amended budget proposal. This revised document was to include not only examination funding but also allocations for school capitation, quality assurance, and the school feeding programme.
National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi later clarified that while structural reforms in the management of examinations were under review, funding for this year’s assessments would not be in jeopardy. He stated that parents need not worry, emphasizing that the exams will be fully funded and that any changes would only affect administrative approaches.
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Mr. Mbadi reassured the public that the review would focus on who benefits from government subsidies and how examination fees are managed. Speaking during a press briefing, he said that parents should not panic, as the government would ensure exams go on as planned.
A member of the Education Committee commented that the new allocation represents a firm commitment to students’ academic futures, stating that ensuring national exams are held on time is non-negotiable.
Govt Reinstates Sh5.9 Billion for KPSEA, KJSEA, and KCSE After Public Outcry.