Kenya's Education CS Julius Ogamba Insists Govt Will Pay Exam Fees After Budget Cuts
- The 2025/2026 proposed budget published by the National Treasury Cabinet Secretary, John Mbadi, excluded allocations for KCSE, KEPSEA and JSS exams
- Education CS Julius Ogamba assured parents that his ministry is in talks with the exchequer to ensure allocation of funds for the exams
- Ogamba disclosed that he had also requested additional funding in the budget for the 2025/2026 fiscal year to hire 5,800 Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) trainers
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Education Cabinet Secretary (CS) Julius Migos Ogamba has allayed concerns that parents will foot the bills for their children's exams in the wake of the ministry's budget cuts.
Source: Twitter
Should Kenyan parents relax?
Ogamba stated that his ministry is determined to ensure that no children are left behind when it comes to paying examination fees.
The CS revealed that the proposed 2025/2026 budget currently excludes funds for examination costs, but discussions are underway to secure the necessary allocation.
He spoke during a graduation ceremony at Kiirua Technical Training Institute.
"Exam fees will not be covered by parents, and we are talking with the Treasury and other stakeholders to make sure we get the right amount that will be used effectively and without wasting any money," he assured, as quoted by MyGov on Tuesday, May 27.
"The examination was not funded last year either, but we were able to obtain it in the supplementary budget that followed, which is typical in the sector," he added.
Why Kenyan parents, education stakeholders were concerned
Reports that national tests, including the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), may be interrupted due to a KSh 62 billion deficit in the education sector caused public anxiety and bewilderment.
The Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KEPSEA) and Junior Secondary School (JSS) are two other exams that would be affected by the lack of financing.
Members of Parliament (MPs) expressed concern over the 2025/2026 national budget's lack of funding for exam preparation and invigilation.
Budget cuts have impacted key areas, including quality assurance, which received no funding.
Junior school capitation faces a KSh 14.7 billion shortfall, and the Free Primary Education programme faces a deficit of KSh 1.2 billion.
Source: Getty Images
What Ogamba said on TVET funding
Ogamba disclosed that the Ministry of Education had also requested additional funding in the budget for the 2025/2026 fiscal year to hire 5,800 Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) trainers.
According to the CS, the ministry has started the process of modularising the curricula for competency-based education and training.
"Modularisation enhances flexibility and accessibility. Not every trainee can afford to commit years to a full course due to financial or personal constraints," he said.
Why new education funding model was suspended
In other news, Justice Chacha Mwita halted the implementation of the new university funding model in October 2024.
This came after three other petitioners and the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) filed a lawsuit against the new model, claiming it was discriminatory.
However, the Court of Appeal reinstated the controversial banding policy.
Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
