National Knec Exams won’t be affected by budget cuts- CS Ogamba says
Education Cabinet Secretary Migos Ogamba has assured that the national Knec exams will proceed without interruption, despite a significant budget shortfall. Following the announcement of a Ksh.62 billion deficit in the education budget, Ogamba stated that the ministry is in discussions with stakeholders to implement urgent measures to support millions of students across the country.
During a session with the National Assembly Committee on Education, the CS acknowledged that there were no funds allocated for school examinations and supervision, even though Ksh.12.5 billion was needed. This lack of funding has raised concerns about the upcoming national exams for students at various levels, including the first-ever Kenya Junior School Education Assessment.
Nonetheless, CS Ogamba emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring that all learners, regardless of their educational level, will not face disadvantages.
“Parents are not going to be required to pay examination fees. So, that issue…it was an omission and that omission is being attended to as we are discussing to ensure that it’s a standard,” he stated.
Other important areas affected by the budget cuts include quality assurance, which received no allocation; junior school capitation, facing a Ksh.14.7 billion shortfall; and the Free Primary Education programme, which has a deficit of Ksh.1.2 billion.
“That is something that is normal in the sector. So, sometimes the money is not enough, but we do go back and get the resources to ensure that the examination is done. So, for us as a government is just to tell the parents not to worry about it. We’ll be dealing with it,” added the CS.
The huge budget cuts have drawn sharp criticism from various stakeholders, who warn that the move threatens to derail key reforms in the education sector.
The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has called for the immediate reinstatement of the funds to safeguard the integrity of teaching and learning across the country.