Education Budget Cuts Cast Doubt on 2024 National Exams
The administration of the 2024 national examinations and key initiatives like the school feeding program are at risk following a Sh14.93 billion budget cut under the State Department of Basic Education.
Initially, the department was allocated Sh142.2 billion for the 2023/2024 fiscal year, but this amount has decreased to Sh127.3 billion in the current fiscal year after the withdrawal of the Finance Bill 2024.
One critical area affected by the budget cuts is the invigilation and supervision of examinations, which had a previous allocation of Sh5.02 billion.
The National Treasury’s decision to scrap this budget has put the fate of 3.5 million learners, who are set to take their exams and assessments this year, in jeopardy.
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The Basic Education Principal Secretary, Belio Kipsang, reported that 1.3 million learners are scheduled for the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment, 1.2 million learners in Grade 3, and 965,501 learners are set to undertake their Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education exams.
Kipsang, addressing the National Assembly Committee on Education and Research, requested the reinstatement of the funds to ensure smooth administration of the examinations.
Kipsang explained that the funds cover supervision, invigilation, and examiners’ costs. He urged the House committee to reinstate the Sh5.02 billion to adhere to the government’s policy on free and compulsory basic education.
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He emphasized the necessity of these funds to carry out the 2024 examinations and assessments effectively.
Education Budget Cuts Cast Doubt on 2024 National Exams
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