By Lydia Ngoolo
Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) Makueni Branch Secretary General Justus Kimeu has told the Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) to pay teachers who marked the 2020 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams urgently.
He expressed his worry that teachers who offered their services during exam markings are still looking upon the examining body to pay them even after results were released long ago.
The unionist cautioned examiners not to rush in marking of exams without agreeing on clear terms of payment.
“Let the examiners engage the unions first so that we can have a consultative meeting with KNEC and agree on when and how they are going to pay the examiners who are our teachers. We have to be there for them and air their grievances”, said Kimeu.
The unionist also called upon Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to consider those who have been working as interns first during employment.
He thanked the government for setting aside funds for teacher employment but added that there is still shortage of teachers despite having a large number of unemployed teachers.
“With 100 per cent transition to secondary schools, we need more teachers in those classes to offer best and adequate services to learners”, he said.
He cautioned those seeking employment to be alert not to fall on the arms of conmen promising to secure employment for them.
On the recently signed Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), the unionists pointed out that they were shocked by the offer given by TSC and that teachers may not accept it considering that the element of salary increment is not considered.
He observed that the issue of freezing salary increment for two years should be reconsidered bearing in mind the soaring cost of living.
