Students having a light moment with former CS Ezekiel Machogu. Government has failed to allocate examination budget for the year 2025/2026. Photo: M.O.E.
Marsabit County Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Secretary General Rosemary Talaso has strongly criticized the government’s move to cut the education budget.
Speaking to journalists at his office, Talaso said that it is sad to see that the government is ignoring education issues by reducing the education budget and jeopardizing the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) and Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) national examinations.
She said that the budget cut will also affect the recruitment of teachers by Teachers Service Commission, subsequently affecting the quality and level of education among children in the country. She called on the government for speedy action among worried candidates of the possibility of not sitting for the national exams at the end of the year.
“The government should clearly reconsider the budget cut on examinations, hey should look on what to cut and increase on the education sector. TSC should also check to ensure their is no budget cut on their side, as it will affect recruitment of teachers and the quality of education. We are even worried for our children if the exams will be conducted as there is no budget allocated for exams. The government should look into the matter to avoid affecting candidates already planning for the end year exams,” she said.
On reducing teachers’ allowances, especially those serving in arid areas, Talaso said that although Marsabit County was not mentioned as one of the counties that will be affected, it will demoralize teachers and also affect the level of education in the counties where teachers are affected by the cuts.
“The romours about cutting the hardship allowance for teachers working in hardship areas in the new proposed challenges will affect the development plans and loan access to teachers already struggling with infrastructure. The hardship allowance should be reinstated as it is currently to avoid demoralizing teachers, which will reduce quality of education in schools in those areas,” she urged.
However, Talaso has urged parents to cooperate to make the exercise of 9th grade students to choose schools a smooth process and the steps they will take in terms of education success.
Parents and teachers should make the students selection process a success while they choose schools according to the three pathways in the current education system CBE,” she called on parents.
Lawmakers were stunned to discover that the government had failed to allocate any funds for the registration and administration of key assessments, including KPSEA, Junior Secondary School (JSS) exams, and KCSE., when the principal secretary appeared before senate education committee on Wednesday, May 14.
