Kuppet: Capitation cuts will undermine public education

Kuppet Secretary General Akelo Misori. [David Gichuru, Standard]

The administration of this year's national examinations could be disrupted if the National Assembly does not intervene to reverse proposed education budget cuts, a teachers' union has warned.

The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) raised alarm over the government's proposed Sh62 billion reduction in education funding, warning it could lead to increased school dropouts and a decline in education quality across public institutions.

Kuppet Secretary-General Akelo Misori expressed concern that the cuts would shift the financial burden onto parents, leading to higher school fees and levies as institutions attempt to manage funding shortfalls.

"What quality of education does the government want for its children? This move appears to push Kenyans towards private education, which undermines the constitutional right to quality and affordable public education" Misori questioned.

During a presentation of the 2025/2026 Budget Estimates to the National Assembly's Education Committee on Tuesday, Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok confirmed substantial cuts. These include a Sh1.213 billion reduction from Free Primary Education (FPE) capitation, Sh14.751 billion from Junior School capitation, and the complete removal of Sh12.587 billion allocated for national examinations and invigilation. Additionally, Sh600 million set aside for quality assurance has been eliminated.

While PS Bitok assured that the Ministry of Education is in talks with the National Treasury to fast-track capitation funds, Misori raised the alarm over the wider impact of the cuts.

"The zero funding for national exams, quality assurance, and the modernisation of school management systems is alarming. These cuts are pushing thousands of children out of school," Misori said.

He added that the withdrawal of funding for the school feeding programme in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) would force vulnerable children to drop out altogether.

Misori also criticised the delay in converting 20,000 newly recruited intern teachers to permanent and pensionable terms, saying the cuts send the wrong signal about government commitment.