KPSEA, KCSE National Exams at Risk Over School Financial Crisis, Principals Sound Alarm
School heads are voicing concerns over a looming financial crisis that may jeopardize the upcoming national examinations.
More than 2.2 million students are expected to take the exams, including 965,501 registered for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) and 1,303,913 for the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KIPSEA).
Many schools are facing financial instability as they prepare students for these critical examinations.
Principals are cautioning that, without immediate intervention from the government, they might not be able to provide the necessary resources for exam administration.
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Willie Kuria, chairman of the Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (Kessha), indicated that schools have hit a critical point.
Some principals are reporting fee arrears that range between Sh27 million and Sh50 million.
“School fees have remained the same for over a decade and schools have no other source of income,” Machakos School Principal Benson Manoo said.
One head teacher, who requested anonymity, mentioned that a supplier had threatened legal action due to unpaid debts.
The principal explained that they received a letter from the supplier’s lawyer, warning that legal proceedings could be initiated over the unpaid balance.
“Exams are around the corner, and there are no funds to purchase the required supplies,” said Kuria, the principal of Murang’a High School.
Government Acknowledges Funding Gaps
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, when questioned in Parliament regarding the funding shortfall, acknowledged the issue.
He highlighted that both primary and secondary schools have consistently received less funding than budgeted.
For instance, this year, primary schools were allocated Sh9.1 billion, though Sh9.27 billion was needed, while secondary schools received Sh59.8 billion, far below the required Sh76.6 billion.
Ogamba assured that steps were being taken to ensure financial stability in schools, explaining that the government is working to create long-term sustainability in the education sector.
Funding Shortfall’s Impact
Akelo Misori, Secretary-General of the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), commented on the severe impact of the funding shortage.
He noted that while principals are often blamed for imposing illegal levies, they are being forced into this situation due to inadequate funding.
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Education expert Ouko Muthoni stressed that the crisis is intensifying inequality in access to education.
She pointed out that reduced state funding creates a divide between students from wealthy backgrounds and those from lower-income families, worsening disparities in education access.
KPSEA, KCSE National Exams at Risk Over School Financial Crisis, Principals Sound Alarm
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