Hopes of payment for contracted professionals who supervised the 2025 national examinations were dashed after Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi confirmed that no additional funds would be released to settle their long-overdue dues.
Speaking on the matter, CS Mbadi stated that the Treasury had already disbursed the full budget allocation to the Ministry of Education (MoE).
He emphasised that responsibility for paying the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) contracted professionals now lies solely with the ministry.
“If it is inadequate to pay the KNEC contracted professionals, there is no additional allocation since we already disbursed what Parliament approved,” Mbadi said.
He added that the Treasury does not withhold any education funds, noting that all allocations were released on time, and urged aggrieved teachers to seek redress from the Ministry of Education.
In a related announcement, CS Mbadi revealed that only 20,000 out of the 44,000 intern teachers will be confirmed on permanent and pensionable terms this year.
The developments come as Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok called for increased funding in the education sector to address a severe budget shortfall.
Bitok also highlighted the urgent need for funds to settle payments for 2025 KNEC contracted professionals, acknowledging concerns raised by teachers and examination officials across the country.
Prof. Bitok warned of a potential crisis in schools during the 2026/27 financial year and urged Parliament to allocate an additional KSh 71.77 billion to the education sector.
The appeal comes at a critical time as the government continues implementing major reforms under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
READ ALSO: PS Bitok confronts Parliament over pending dues for teachers who oversaw 2025 KNEC exams
Schools continue to grapple with delayed capitation disbursements, classroom shortages, and inadequate learning materials, further compounding pressure on the education system.
By Obegi Malack
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