MPs give the Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) ultimatum to withdraw notice on charges

The Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) has been given a two-week ultimatum to withdraw a directive requiring school heads to charge candidates wanting to amend and change subjects.

Three MPs want the council to cancel the notice that seeks to have registered candidates pay Sh3,500 if they want to change subjects.

Legislators David Ochieng (Ugenya), Johnston Sakaja (Nominated) and Emmanuel Wangwe (Navakholo) lashed at the council's Chief Executive Officer Joseph Kivilu over the circular dated July 10 claiming that it is meant to reintroduce abolished examination fees through the backdoor.

They questioned the motive of charging Sh500 to amend the details of registration and Sh3,000 to change subjects, cautioning that the directive will deny needy students an opportunity to sit the national examinations.

The circular to school heads and all sub-county education officers and copied to the Adult and Continuing Education departments and the Ministry of Education, directs that candidates verify their details by today.

"All candidates should enter for correct subjects and clusters as per KNEC registration. Any correction of subject should be accompanied by a deposit slip of Sh500 per candidate," reads Dr Kivilu's circular.

It continues, "Subject amendment should be accompanied by a bank deposit of Sh3, 000. KNEC officers will collect the signed entry report printout from the county directors of education offices on August 3."

The MPs stressed that the Jubilee government abolished registration fees last year, and therefore candidates should not be charged for the process.

"KNEC is obviously trying to introduce new fees. Students are bound to make mistakes in the electronic registration process; they should not be penalised for it. The Government's intention was to make education affordable," said Mr Sakaja.

He added, "KNEC is a Government institution and it must adhere to its policies. These fees are unacceptable. The council seems to have a different interest and using flimsy grounds to reap off poor Kenyans. We are giving the council 14 days to withdraw the circular or we take action."