Gov't urged to waive KCSE exam fees for adult learners

Embu County Director of Adult Education, Stephen Mboi, appealed to the Ministry of Education to consider scrapping the Ksh.7,200 exam fee, terming it a major obstacle for adult learners, many of whom come from low-income backgrounds.

Speaking to the press in Embu, Mboi noted that the high cost of examinations risks locking out many adult learners who are striving to improve their education levels despite financial challenges.

 “Most of these learners are parents, casual workers, and small-scale traders who sacrifice greatly to return to school. The current fee is simply too high and could discourage them from completing their studies,” he said.

He added that the government’s commitment to promoting literacy and lifelong learning would be better realized if adult learners received financial support similar to that extended to students in formal schools.

Mboi further called on the Ministry to introduce capitation funding for adult education programs, arguing that such support would strengthen learning centres, motivate tutors, and ensure the sustainability of adult education initiatives across the country.

He emphasized that empowering adult learners through affordable education would not only uplift individual livelihoods but also contribute significantly to national development.

 “When adults are educated, entire families and communities benefit — it’s an investment in the nation’s social and economic growth,” he concluded.