Education CS Ogamba assures national exams will continue uninterrupted despite zero budget

Days after revelations of a Ksh.62 billion shortfall in the education budget, Education Cabinet Secretary Migos Ogamba has assured that the ministry is actively engaging stakeholders to make urgent adjustments aimed at cushioning millions of learners nationwide.

Appearing before the National Assembly Committee on Education, the CS acknowledged that no funds had been allocated for school examinations and invigilation, despite a projected requirement of Ksh.12.5 billion.

The glaring omission has raised concern over the fate of candidates set to sit national exams across various levels, including the inaugural Kenya Junior School Education Assessment.

CS Migos, however, maintained that the government is committed to ensuring all learners, regardless of level, will not be disadvantaged.

“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 critical 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 massive 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.