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Committee Chair Julius Melly condemned the practice, noting that the President had already instructed principals to release certificates without delay.
The PS confirmed his readiness for the rescheduled meeting and expressed optimism about continued collaboration to enhance learning outcomes across the country.
Acting TSC CEO Evelyn Mitei told the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Education on Thursday that the Commission had only been allocated Sh16.5 billion for the 2026/2027 financial year against a projected requirement of Sh26.5 billion.
Briefing the lawmakers, the Auditor General’s report read, “The statement of comparison of budget and actual amounts reflects final receipts budget and actual amount on a comparable basis of Sh1,503,865,584 and Sh1,794,814,789 respectively, resulting in an overperformance of Sh290,949,205 or 19 percent of the budget.”
When the University’s Vice Chancellor, Nathan Ogechi, appeared before the Public Investments Committee on Governance and Education, lawmakers were told that the Auditor-General’s report confirmed that the institution failed to fully comply with prescribed public sector accounting reporting frameworks.
Principal Secretary Esther Muoria told the Senate Education Committee that TVET fees are capped at Sh35,000 under the modular CBET system, down from about Sh40,396 per term, and remain within legal mandates.
The review shows that poor governance, missing records, and irregular approvals have put over Sh3 billion of taxpayers’ money at risk, even as institutions grapple with growing budget pressures.
Teachers and tutors who wish to apply must meet strict requirements. Applicants should be actively teaching the relevant subjects at the level being examined or higher. They must be registered with the Teachers Service Commission or the Public Service Commission and hold at least a Diploma in Education.
The Bill would give the commission authority to discipline teachers who charge unauthorised fees, organise holiday tuition without approval, or withhold certificates from learners who sit for national examinations.
The new system is part of KASNEB’s efforts to ensure accurate identification and reliable administration of its professional and technical examinations.
The ministry explained that the delay is part of wider funding constraints currently influencing government operations. It said the concerns raised by those who supported the examinations process are justified and have been taken seriously.
Candidates who sat the 2025 KCSE examination have been asked to visit the schools where they registered in order to obtain their slips.
The Kenya National Examinations Council confirmed it received 5,743 requests from both public and private institutions once the portal was shut.
The exercise will cover the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment, the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment, and the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education.
The review exposed large discrepancies in enrolment figures that influence how capitation funds are distributed. Primary school numbers fell from 5,833,175 learners listed in NEMIS to 4,947,271, a drop of 885,904 learners.
Fourteen school leaders did not submit critical student information, while 20 are suspected of inflating enrolment numbers, undermining the accuracy of the National Education Management Information System (NEMIS).
The verification covered public primary, junior and secondary schools, as well as special needs institutions across all 47 counties.
MPs contend that current policies disproportionately favour certain regions, leaving teachers in less developed areas without sufficient financial support, which in turn affects retention and the quality of education.
The unremitted amounts cover a range of deductions, including Pay As You Earn (PAYE), Housing Levy, pension contributions, the National Social Security Fund, and the National Hospital Insurance Fund, now known as the Social Health Authority.
The Bills will now be considered by Parliament, where lawmakers are expected to debate their scope, cost and implementation timelines, before determining the future direction of Kenya’s education system.
The proposal has received backing from the Kenya Association of Junior School Teachers, the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), and over 50,000 educators who advocate for the recognition of Junior Secondary Schools as a distinct education level.
Kenya and Italy have signed a new education cooperation MoU in Nairobi, expanding collaboration in higher education, research, innovation and skills, with a focus on mobility, AI and technical training.
KUPPET reported incidents in which teachers injured in accidents were allegedly denied care at The Nairobi Hospital, Avenue Hospital, Guru Nanak Hospital and Aga Khan University Hospital.
The audit shows that errors in enrolment figures led to the removal of 547,637 learners from funding-eligible records. This represents a 4.7 per cent drop from the initial figures captured in Nemis and left over half a million learners listed as “unaccounted for” at the time the report was prepared.
Findings from a study by Koa Academy reveal that about 80 per cent of parents know that online schooling programmes are available.
Under the new fees breakdown for boarding schools, parents will pay Sh25,385 for boarding equipment and stores, Sh12,900 for other vote heads, Sh250 for activity fees, and Sh2,000 for maintenance and improvement. Tuition will be fully funded by the government.
KICD Chief Executive Officer Prof Charles Ong’ondo said the delay had nothing to do with the institute’s evaluation process, noting that publishers had completed manuscripts early but could not move to distribution without payment.
KNEC has directed that individual candidates will not receive the certificates directly. Instead, the documents will be distributed through the respective colleges, which are required to coordinate with the council to facilitate collection.
The President said the expansion aligns with the government’s goal of ensuring every qualified Kenyan has a fair opportunity to access university education and acquire skills for the modern economy.
Senators cautioned that issuing the change through an administrative circular risks returning control of ECDE teacher training to the national government, contrary to constitutional provisions.