KNEC decries Sh6.7bn funding gap, plans paperless national exams
The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) is facing a significant budget deficit projected to reach Sh6.7 billion by 2026/27. To mitigate rising operational costs, the agency plans to transition to a paperless national examination system.
Why it matters
The shift to digital assessments is a critical move for educational sustainability in Kenya as student enrollment grows under the new Competency-Based Curriculum.
Basic Education PS John Ololtuaa before the National Assembly’s Education Committee at Bunge Towers yesterday /DOUGLAS OKIDDY
This is even as the agency plans to gradually roll out paperless exams as it grapples with a widening budget deficit.
Documents presented to the National Assembly Education Committee shows KNEC faces a Sh2.58 billion funding shortfall in the 2025/26 financial year.
Basic Education PS John Ololtua said the deficit is projected to balloon to Sh6.71 billion in 2026/27 if additional resources are not secured.
The shortfall persists despite the government's allocation for examinations rising to Sh10.5 billion.
The figures show that the cost of administering national assessments has continued to exceed available funds as enrolment grows under the Competency-Based Education (CBE) curricullum.
According to the report, KNEC's long-term response is to transition to paperless examinations.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in