MP Push For Sh5.9 Billion Reallocation For National Exams

The Chairperson of the National Assembly’s Education Committee, Julius Melly, has proposed that Sh5.9 billion be reallocated in the 2025/26 national budget to fund the administration and supervision of national examinations—a crucial item that was left out of the initial budget estimates.

Melly, who is also the Tinderet MP, told the Budget and Appropriations Committee that the money should be drawn from existing funds meant for school capitation: Sh3 billion from secondary schools, Sh2 billion from junior schools, and Sh900 million from primary schools. However, he said this would still fall short of the total Sh11 billion needed to fully support the national exams, leaving a deficit of Sh5.1 billion.

“Examinations are a critical part of our education system. Without proper funding, their credibility and effectiveness could be compromised,” Melly said during the Tuesday session.

In addition to the exam funding, the committee is also pushing for Sh7.3 billion to convert 20,000 intern teachers into permanent and pensionable employees later this year.

To address the shortage of trainers in technical colleges, the committee proposed an extra Sh1.9 billion to hire 2,000 instructors for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions.

Melly noted that the current shortfall in TVET instructors stands at about 6,000.

The committee has also asked for Sh17 billion to be set aside for university scholarships, expected to benefit 208,000 new students, and Sh3.7 billion to be used as a matching fund for school infrastructure through the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF).