Over two million national examination candidates risk major disruptions in assessment and certification processes due to a budget deficit. According to Basic Education Principal Secretary Dr. Belio Kipsang, a budget cut of Sh14.93 billion, out of which Sh8 billion will come from recurrent expenditure and Sh6.9 billion from development expenditure, is bound to severely affect operations.
If adopted, the total budget will drop from Sh142.26 billion to Sh127.33 billion. According to Dr. Kipsang, the reasons for these cuts are due to reduced government support, especially in the development budget, which has been cut from Sh7.2 billion to Sh350 million. Among others greatly impacted is the administration of school examinations and evaluations, whose allocated amount was scrapped completely.
“The State Department has already registered 2,284,017 learners for the 2024 national examination and assessment. The reduction to zero percent in the supplementary estimates is going to grossly affect the administration of the said national examinations, as it’s bound to cause serious disruptions,” Dr. Kipsang warned the Committee on Education of the National Assembly.
The Sh3 billion for the School Feeding Programme has been moved to another ministry. This could create problems in coordination and disrupt meal provisions to these learners who need it more, thus affecting their nutrition and retention in schools.
He further noted scrapping plans for the construction of 1,920 classrooms in public secondary schools. This move would worsen the congestion problem and affect the smooth implementation of the Competency-Based Curriculum. The total allocation of Sh1.92 billion for secondary schools has been scrapped, which is now facing serious challenges occasioned by existing congestion and infrastructural gaps.
In the primary school infrastructure budget, the whole Sh770 million has been withdrawn, hitting efforts to admit Grade 9 students starting January. For junior schools—who come under the primary school system—Sh2.782 million set for the construction of classrooms has also been struck out in the printed estimates.
Not considering the Sh622 million for top-up capitation for special needs education learners, whose levels of support and resources determine levels of funding, is likely to disadvantage them in making progress in education. On the other hand, a budget deficit in Free Day Junior and Senior Secondary Education means not all learners will receive the required capitation, thereby complicating access to education.
“The enrolment was projected at 4,253,155 between July and December 2024, but declined to 3,244,325 learners between January and June 2025. Now, the number has reduced because no learners will join Form One in January 2025; we shall have Forms two, three, and four. The cost per learner is Sh22,244, which for that total comes to Sh76.654 billion,” said Dr Kipsang.
The situation demands for consultations with the National Treasury and development partners to discuss funding challenges in order to ensure continuity of these critical education programs for Kenya.