The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has directed its members not to participate in national examination duties until clear guidelines on their terms and conditions of engagement are issued, with Secretary-General Akello Misori accusing the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) of subjecting examiners to “slavery wages”.
Misori said the payments offered to teachers marking national examinations were inadequate given the professional responsibilities involved, citing a rate of KSh80 for marking an English paper.
“KNEC treats professionals in an unprofessional way,” Misori said, calling for better remuneration and clear terms governing teachers contracted to handle national examinations.
He argued that examiners should receive payments that reflect the workload and expertise required to mark candidates’ scripts, adding that delays in payment further undermine teachers’ working conditions.
KUPPET National Chairman Omboko Milemba backed the union’s position, insisting that all centre managers, invigilators, supervisors and examiners must be properly remunerated for their work.
Milemba said teachers were being paid at rates comparable to those of construction labourers despite the professional responsibilities involved in administering and marking national examinations.
The chairman also called on the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) to engage the union over the disputed rates. He said KUPPET had written to the commission requesting a meeting to discuss teachers’ concerns.
The dispute centres on the terms under which teachers are contracted to undertake examination-related duties, including payment rates, the timing of payments and the need for clear guidelines before they accept assignments.
The union’s position raises the prospect of disruption to the administration and marking of national examinations if the disagreement remains unresolved. KNEC relies on contracted teachers to perform key roles in ensuring examinations are conducted and assessed.
Beyond examination remuneration, Misori raised concerns over the implementation of the government’s affordable housing commitment to teachers.
He said progress towards reserving 20 per cent of affordable housing units for teachers had been slow, calling for closer monitoring to ensure educators benefit from the programme.
Misori also called for proper public participation in the proposed career progression guidelines, arguing that teachers must be consulted before the framework is finalised.
He noted that the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) had presented its case to SRC but maintained that public participation was necessary to ensure the guidelines adequately address teachers’ concerns.
KUPPET is now calling for engagement with the relevant institutions to resolve the dispute over examination payments and establish clear terms of service for teachers undertaking national examination duties.
