We will only pay exam fees for public schools, insists Kaimenyi

The government will only pay examination fees for candidates in schools that are receiving Free Primary and Subsidised Secondary Education funds.

Speaking when he released the 2014 KCSE results at Mitihani House in Nairobi on Tuesday, Education Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi said the government had already released Sh2.9 billion for the exams.

“The release of the funds to the Kenya National Examination Council is to enable the council plan registration of candidates and to administer the examinations to the candidates,” said Prof Kaimenyi.

However, the council’s chairman Kabiru Kinyanjui asked the government to release the remaining cash to the council before the end of this month.

“We thank the government for this grant, and look forward to receiving the final payment at the close of the registration period on March 31 2015,” said Prof Kinyanjui.

FINAL PAYMENT

The council’s chief executive officer Joseph Kivilu said the council is expecting close to Sh300 million from the government as the final payment of the money.

“Once we get all the cash, we will give the government a list of all registered candidates for accountability purposes,” said Dr Kivilu.

However, Kenya Private School Association chief executive officer Peter Ndoro criticised the decision by the government not to pay for the examination of candidates in private schools.

He said that the measure is an unnecessary discrimination.

“The President and his deputy on many occasions have said that no child will be discriminated but the CS seems hell-bent to discriminate these children,” said Mr Ndoro.

He went on: “These are also the children of Kenyans.”

Mr Ndoro said there are about 45,000 candidates in private schools who will be registering for the examination this year.

NEW HEADQUARTERS

Meanwhile, the council will be relocating to the New Mitihani House at South C from the end of this month.

Prof Kinyanjui said this is a culmination of a long journey that begun in 1986 when the foundation stone for the new offices was laid.

“I am glad to say that most challenges have been surmounted. KNEC is very grateful to the government of Kenya and the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology for providing the required funding and expertise to make our dream of a new headquarters possible,” he said.

Prof Kinyanjui said the new headquarters will house most of the council services and staff.

Dr Kivilu said the offices to be relocated will be those in National Bank, National Housing corporation and Ex-telecoms. The move will also save costs.