Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has clarified that no parent will be required to pay examination fees for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams, despite the government’s decision to withhold funding for the national tests.
Speaking on Ramogi FM, Mbadi explained that the suspension of funding is a temporary measure aimed at addressing alleged misuse of resources by officials in previous years.
Government Scrutinizes KCSE Budget Mismanagement
The government typically allocates Ksh 11 billion annually to facilitate the printing and administration of national examinations. However, Mbadi revealed that this figure had been flagged for abuse, prompting a review to ensure the funds are used effectively.
“This isn’t about shifting the financial burden to parents. No parent will pay for KCSE exams,” Mbadi stated. “We are pausing this allocation to assess critical issues, including why the government should bear the full cost of exams and why we continue printing these materials abroad, in places like London.”
He questioned the rationale of funding the exams for all students, including those whose parents can afford to pay, and criticized the practice of outsourcing printing services overseas as unnecessarily expensive.
Parliament Challenges Treasury Over Budget Gaps
Mbadi’s comments came amid backlash from the Education Committee in Parliament, which criticized the Treasury for failing to allocate funds to the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC).
Committee Chairperson Julius Melly accused the Treasury of undermining the education sector, emphasizing the importance of funding summative exams that are a key feature of Kenya’s academic calendar.
“Exams are non-negotiable—they take place every year. How can you present a budget with zero allocation for such a critical activity?” Melly demanded during a session with Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok.
Government Promises Resolution
In response, PS Julius Bitok acknowledged the funding gaps and assured Parliament and the public that consultations are ongoing with both the Treasury and KNEC to resolve the issue.
“We are committed to ensuring that exams proceed as planned. Discussions with the Treasury are underway to address this matter promptly,” Bitok stated.
Looking Ahead
Mbadi assured parents that funding for the national exams will resume once the government establishes a robust framework to prevent future misuse. He emphasized that this review process is necessary to maintain transparency and accountability in public spending.
“We are not abandoning our responsibilities. This pause is for the greater good—to fix inefficiencies and restore trust in the system,” Mbadi said.
