Crisis looms as Treasury delays release of Sh6b exam allocation

Students sit for mathematics paper during a past examination. [File, Standard]

A national crisis is unfolding, with over three million learners at risk of being affected due to delayed funding for this year's national examinations-the largest exam cycle in Kenya's history.

With just four months remaining before the commencement of the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA), and the inaugural Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA), The Standard has established that the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) is yet to begin printing the examination papers. This delay is fuelling fears of logistical chaos.

Although Sh6 billion was allocated in the 2024-2025 national budget for the exams, the National Treasury is yet to release the funds. The money is essential for activities, such as printing, invigilation, packaging, transportation, and ensuring security of examination materials. Sources within the Ministry of Education are warning that time is quickly running out, putting the entire exam calendar in jeopardy. "This is no longer just a delay. It's a looming national crisis. We ought to have started printing in March to allow ample time to detect and correct any errors, especially given the scale of these examinations," said a senior Ministry official, speaking on condition of anonymity.

According to information obtained by The Standard, approximately 996,000 candidates are registered for this year's KCSE examination. KNEC is expected to print over 23 million individual question papers for the KCSE alone.

An examination officer involved in the process explained that each candidate is expected to sit up to 24 exam papers across eight subjects. These scripts are highly sensitive, incorporating new security features such as personalisation and barcoding to prevent cheating. This level of sophistication demands rigorous production schedules and careful planning-now at risk due to funding delays. "The security printing process is highly specialised. These are not ordinary papers. Any delay can compromise the integrity of the exams," another senior official warned.

The KJSEA written tests are scheduled to run from October 27 to November 5, 2025, while the KCSE is set to run from October 27, to November 21, 2025.

The delay in funding also jeopardises the administration of the first-ever Grade 9 final assessment under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC). Dubbed the KJSEA, the exam will play a critical role in determining placement in Senior School.

The Standard has established that 14 million papers-including question papers and answer sheets for seven subjects-must be printed for the KJSEA alone.

Similarly, the KPSEA, targeting another one million Grade 6 learners, is also under threat.

KNEC had not responded to calls or messages from The Standard by the time of publication, further raising concerns over preparedness.

Insiders reveal that anxiety is mounting within the Council, with technical staff on standby awaiting a go-ahead that has yet to materialise. Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has been criticised for failing to prioritise the issue, despite repeated reminders.

Ministry sources say the Treasury blames the delay on a strained fiscal environment.

Yesterday, education stakeholders warned that the funding delay could significantly undermine the credibility of the exams.

Moses Nthurima, Deputy Secretary-General of the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet), criticised the government's priorities, arguing that the delay threatens the futures of millions of candidates. "We have made significant progress in restoring the integrity of our national examinations, but these developments put everything at risk. It is shameful that the Treasury considers other matters more urgent than securing the future of our children," Nthurima said in a phone interview.

Elimu Yetu, an education lobby group, echoed the union's concerns. National Coordinator Joseph Wasikhongo pointed out that persistent delays in funding have adversely affected schools and learners. "We have seen delays in the release of capitation funds, uncertainty in the teachers' medical scheme, and now the threat to examination funding. The government's intentions towards education are becoming increasingly questionable," he said.