KNEC should pay the contracted personnel for future exams credibility

The teachers and other contracted personnel are decrying the delayed payment of their dues coupled with tired song promising to be paid soon, making the most revered and credible body in charge of administering exams for decades incredible.

Exams are the most volatile yardstick to discern, thus the people behind invigilation, supervision, marking and providing security for the same should be given their allowances promptly. In case a supervisor, invigilator or examiner relax in their jobs for lack of motivation, the whole process will stagnate or be compromised

However, the cadre has not been treated with concern and dignity they deserve. The Government announcements are just making the matters worse. For instance, a teacher leaves his/her home, chores, comfort, sleep for a fortnight or so for marking exercise which is tedious, cumbersome and tiresome only to come out of the marking centers without even a kilo of sugar for Christmas and end of the year festivities.

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The only luggage they carry home is a heap of dirty linen piled during ups and downs in service for the sake of Kenyan child.

These people are parents, husbands, wives and revered cadre in the society, who are leaned on to support in fundraising for any function that calls for. Their respect has been pulled off. Their nakedness is shouting as the code of teaching trampled upon.

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The relevant dockets are as still as deep waters: their only communication comes in unverified bits after being rattled on social media. No official communication whatsoever even after most poses questions on their official pages on Facebook!

Remember, the invitation letters have it all, the allowances, fare and rates plus coordination fees. Interestingly, most borrow fare and pocket money having sureties that once in the marking centres, once reimbursed; they will off course settle their debts.

It’s now about three months down the lane, the bruises of carrying script boxes have healed whereas the narrative of ‘contracted exam personnel will be paid soon’ still linger around.

Many questions are reeling in the mind of many educators. They are wondering where the rain started beating the concerned government departments, Ministry of Education or something of the ilk. Was exam management not budgeted for? Was the dues meant for the same squandered? Has the exercise begun to be voluntary? If so, why not be communicated?

Most teachers are overheard saying that they better stay at the comfort of their homes in the coming years rather than facing invigilation, supervision and marking pressure and being patriotic without being motivated.

The hide and seek the government is doing with exam contracted individuals’ payments, will once or later cost them dearly. The Ministry should work swiftly to arrest the growing frustrations.

By Kimtai Cherongis