By The Star News Team | Updated May 27, 2025
File image of students sitting for national exams in Kenya. PHOTO: Education Ministry.
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Relief for Parents as Ksh5.9B Exam Subsidy Restored
Kenyan parents can breathe a sigh of relief after the government restored funding for national examination fees, reversing a controversial proposal that would have required parents to foot the bill.
Chairman of the National Assembly’s Education Committee, Julius Melly, announced that Ksh5.9 billion will be reinstated to cover fees for the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA), Junior Secondary School (JSS), and Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams.
Funding Breakdown for Exam Subsidy
To recover the funds, Melly proposed reallocating Ksh3 billion from Secondary School capitation, Ksh2 billion from Junior Secondary Schools, and Ksh900 million from Primary Schools. However, he acknowledged that the total cost of administering the exams is Ksh11 billion—leaving a Ksh5.1 billion gap.
“Examinations are a critical component of our education system. Without proper funding, the credibility and effectiveness of the assessment process is at risk,” said Melly.
MPs Slam Govt Over Initial Cuts
Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro criticized the Treasury’s earlier decision, calling it “insensitive” and “abhorrent” after Treasury CS John Mbadi suggested removing exam subsidies to ease budget pressures.
Read also:KNEC to Fine Schools Ksh500 Per CBC Student: Here’s Why
“It was very insensitive for the government not to allocate money for examinations. It was even more abhorrent to hear CS John Mbadi trying to justify it,” Nyoro said during a heated parliamentary session.
Treasury’s Justification for Budget Cuts
On May 24, CS Mbadi defended the proposed cut, arguing that exam fees should be paid by wealthier households. He explained that the government would still subsidize exam fees for students from poor families.
“If your child is learning in a private school where you pay KSh300,000 or more annually, can’t you pay KSh5,000 for exam fees?” he asked. “Taxpayers should not carry this burden for families who can afford it.”
Looking Ahead to 2026
With over 3 million students expected to sit for national exams in 2026, the conversation around who should shoulder the cost is likely to continue. The government’s latest move signals a short-term reprieve, but the broader funding debate remains unsettled.
For updates on exam policies and educational news, visit our Education section.
