Kenyan principals warn that syllabus coverage remains incomplete as schools face financial constraints, fee defaults, and unrest ahead of the 2025 KCSE exams.
As the countdown to the 2025 KCSE examinations continues, public school principals warn that syllabus completion remains a major challenge. Financial difficulties, delayed government capitation, and student unrest have disrupted learning schedules, forcing schools to rush syllabus coverage in the final weeks.
Principals cite unpaid staff salaries, mounting debts, and parents’ inability to pay fees as key obstacles. One principal admitted that staff have not been paid since June, while others revealed they are surviving on credit from suppliers. “We are racing against the clock, but with debts piling and limited resources, we feel unprepared for the exams,” a principal in Nairobi County said.
In Bomet County, a school carrying debts of Sh32 million reported that the little money received from the government barely dented the deficit. Teachers and learners are under immense pressure to complete the curriculum, with some subjects being squeezed into tight schedules.
Student unrest has also been linked to inadequate resources, particularly shortages of food and learning materials. Principals warn that without adequate support, syllabus coverage and examination performance will be compromised, threatening the future of thousands of candidates.
