Editor's Review

The National Assembly Education Committee has summoned KNEC officials to explain how the examinations will be administered without funding.

The education sector is facing uncertainty after zero budget was allocated for the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA), Junior Secondary School (JSS), and Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations in the 2025-2026 financial year.

On Tuesday May 13, members of the National Assembly Education Committee led by the Chairperson Julius Melly raised alarm over the zero-budget allocation.

Basic Education principal Secretary Julius Bitok, who appeared before the committee to defend his ministry’s budget estimates, had a difficult time explaining why KEPSEA, JSS, and KCSE exams had been not been allocated funding.

Melly expressed concern at the absence of examination allocations, terming it a glaring omission in a sector where summative national exams are predictable and essential.

“Exams are activities that take place at the end of every year. Summative exams have to take place. But you have presented a budget with zero. Why is it not in the budget?” Melly questioned.

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“I don't see the CEO of KNEC here either. As a Committee, we need answers.”

National Assembly Education Committee members. 

Narok Women Rep Rebecca Tonkei questioned the Education Ministry’s planning capacity, wondering why funds are not set aside yet exams take place yearly.

Weighing in on the issue, Nyamira Women Rep Jerusha Momanyi asked, “What is wrong with exams of our children? Does Treasury want to do away with exams, or does it want to communicate to parents to start paying examination fees?”

PS Bitok admitted there were funding gaps and promised to consult with the Treasury and the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) to address the matter.

“We assure the public that we are discussing with the National Treasury to ensure that we address this issue,” said PS Bitok.

The Committee expressed dissatisfaction with the responses of PS Bitok noting that Ksh 62 billion had been slashed from the overall education budget.

MPs demanded a revised budget presentation and summoned KNEC officials to appear and clarify how the examinations will be administered without funding.