School heads have raised concern over the preparation of KCPE and KCSE exams, barely four weeks to nearly two million students sitting the national exams.
The headteachers warned that the Education Ministry had not yet released the balance of the capitation funds which was meant to enable institutions to purchase exam-related materials.
They said that the practical exams may be hampered as they had not purchased chemicals and other requirements as specified by the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC). Students may miss out on three key science practical exams, Biology, Physics and Chemistry unless the government releases the money in good time.
Some school heads added that they are unable to pay or upgrade laboratories and pay crucial workers who aid students in conducting tests. They claimed that some Board of Management (BOM) teachers and other support staff have also not received their salaries for months.
"We have not yet received the 24 percent balance as promised by the government. Schools may not be able to get the KNEC's specimen once they send us the list.
"We have been patient enough, but now, we have decided to raise an alarm that the current state will affect the national examinations. Our teachers have not also been paid yet we depend on them to prepare the candidates for the exams," Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (KESSHA) National Chairman Kahi Indimuli said.
The Ministry of Education released Ksh 19.2 billion with Ksh 14.6 billion going to secondary schools and Ksh 4.6 billion for primary schools before schools reopened on January 4. The ministry assured school heads that the balance will be disbursed within a few months to help in the running of activities in the institutions.
In the Ksh 19.2 billion, every student in public schools was allocated Ksh345 for tuition and Ksh 1,395.55 for water, electricity and other miscellaneous bills.
Education CS Prof. George Magoha had previously defended his ministry against those demanding the government to release more money. The CS urged school heads to ensure the funds released were used appropriately.
"Please use this money for what it is meant for. This time we want to thank God that we are alive. I have no plan to make any extra money this year, nobody should have any plans to do so.
“This money belongs to the children and God will punish you severely if you even smell the money. It is not about how much the government gives but how it is used," Magoha pleaded.
KNEC announced that KCPE exams will commence on Monday, March 22, 2021, and end on Wednesday, March 24, 2021. For KCSE candidates, practical exams will commence on March 22 to March 24, rehearsals on March 25 with the written exams slated for March 26 up to Wednesday, April 21.
