The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has raised alarm over the government’s sustained campaign to defund public education, citing drastic budget cuts in the 2025/2026 financial estimates.
In a strongly worded statement, KUPPET Secretary General Akelo Misori said the union is “shocked by the government’s determination to defund public education,” pointing to a Sh62 billion shortfall in the proposed education budget currently before the National Assembly.
“For the third year running, the government has radically cut the education budget,” said Misori. “Many budget lines recommended for funding under the Budget Policy Statement have been radically reduced or eliminated.”
Key services within the Ministry of Education (MoE) are set to suffer. The Estimates indicate zero funding for the management of national examinations, quality assurance (including school inspections), and the School Management Information System. Misori warned that such omissions will paralyse vital oversight functions.
“The effect of these cuts is that the MoE’s quality assurance department will be all but dead,” he said. “This is despite the department’s centrality to the maintenance of standards at all levels of education.”
KUPPET further warned that scrapping examination management funding will shift the financial burden to parents. “The removal of funding for examination invigilation and management almost certainly means that parents will be required to meet the costs,” Misori noted.
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The union also decried massive cuts to the school feeding programme, primary and junior secondary school capitation, and the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).
Of major concern is the complete removal of funds meant to confirm 20,000 intern teachers to permanent and pensionable status and hire an additional 20,000 teachers in January 2026 — a promise made by President William Ruto during this year’s Labour Day celebrations.
“The Commission has also been deprived of funds for the employment of 20,000 new teachers in January 2026,” the statement reads.
KUPPET described the budget cuts as “the most ambitious rollback of social spending since independence,” highlighting earlier reductions that eliminated the Edu-Afya medical cover for secondary students and funds for university research and student loan programmes.
In response, KUPPET is demanding full funding restoration: “KUPPET demands the reinstatement of education funding as contained in the Budget Policy Statement, which was grossly inadequate for the sector’s needs. Public education is a right, while quality education is the only path to Kenya’s national development.”
The union also took issue with recent MoE policies regarding Junior Secondary Schools. A new circular seeks to integrate Junior School teachers into the Kenya Primary Schools Sports Association — a move the union views as a backslide on the autonomy of Junior Schools.
“This is unfortunate, since Junior Schools are autonomous institutions, delinked from primary schools,” said Misori. “We demand the Circular’s immediate withdrawal and proper recognition of co-curricular activities in Junior Schools.”
KUPPET’s statement comes as Parliament begins debate on the national budget estimates, with pressure mounting on the government to reconsider its prioritisation of public education funding.
By Joseph Mambili
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