The Ministry of Education has warned school heads against collecting illegal levies from parents to feed KNEC officials during national examinations. The directive makes clear that feeding costs for invigilators, supervisors and centre managers are covered by the termly capitation allocation and must not be passed on to parents.
Key Takeaways
- Schools must not demand extra payments from parents to feed KNEC officials — this is an illegal levy.
- The Director General for Basic Education has instructed field officers to report and act on violations immediately.
- A pending education bill could impose fines up to Sh1,000,000 or three years’ imprisonment for school administrators who charge illegal levies.
- Parents are urged to report any requests for additional exam-related payments; exam logistics are funded through capitation.
Illegal Levies: What the Ministry Says
The Ministry described forcing parents to contribute money for feeding KNEC personnel as a violation of existing guidelines. Every year KNEC deploys teachers and, in some cases, security personnel to manage assessments. Schools receive third-term capitation meant to cover exam logistics, including meals for these officials. Asking parents for extra payments therefore constitutes an illegal levy.
Background: Who KNEC Deploys and What Schools Must Provide
KNEC contracts teachers as invigilators, supervisors, centre managers and script markers. Security officers and drivers may also be contracted when needed. Under the current arrangement, most centres are staffed mainly by teachers; security is sent only to high-risk centres and during the KCSE, the largest national exam.
Schools are expected to provide basic meals for these officials during the exam period. This responsibility is part of exam centre management and should be met using the capitation funds already disbursed.
Parents’ Complaints and Reported Practices
Parents across the country have reported being asked to pay between Sh500 and Sh1,000 per child for feeding officials during assessments such as KPSEA, KJSEA and KCSE. Some parents also say candidates were threatened with exclusion from exams if fees were not paid, which raises serious concerns about student welfare and fairness.
Pending Legislation and Possible Penalties
A new education bill addressing illegal levies is in its final public participation stage. If enacted, the law would make it a criminal offence to impose unauthorized charges on parents. Penalties proposed include fines up to Sh1,000,000, imprisonment for up to three years, or both. The bill explicitly targets unauthorized admission fees, activity money and charges linked to feeding exam officials.
Exam Timetable and Administrative Preparations
With national exams approaching, administrative tasks are being finalised. KNEC has published the 2026 exam timetable, including the KCSE and various primary and intermediate assessments. Teachers deployed to centres will attend KNEC briefings and follow strict protocols during assessments.
For students preparing for national exams such as free KCSE exams or primary-level assessments referenced on resource pages like free KCPE exams, it is important that administrative issues do not interfere with exam readiness.
What Parents, Teachers and School Heads Should Do
- Parents: Refuse unauthorized payments and report any demands to the Ministry or field officers. Keep written or recorded evidence where possible.
- School heads: Use capitation funds to cover exam logistics. Document expenditures and communicate transparently with parents.
- Teachers and field officers: Follow Ministry guidelines and report incidents of illegal levies. Field officers instructed by the Director General must act on complaints promptly.
How Schools Can Manage Feeding Costs Legitimately
Schools should plan exam logistics well before the assessment period. Simple steps include budgeting the capitation allocation for feeding, sourcing local caterers with receipts, and keeping clear expenditure records. Transparent communication with parents about what capitation covers reduces misunderstanding and the temptation to request extra funds.
School administrators can also consult curriculum and exam resources such as CBC exam materials to align schedules and volunteer duties without imposing fees.
Final Notes: Compliance and Student Welfare
The Ministry’s warning is a reminder that school fees and exam logistics must follow official guidelines. Collecting extra money for feeding KNEC officials is an illegal levy and undermines trust between schools and families. Ensuring funds from capitation are used as intended protects students’ access to fair, stress-free assessments and shields school leaders from severe penalties under the proposed law.
