KNEC to recruit non-teachers as exam supervisors in IEBC-style examination reforms

• KNEC is planning a policy shift that would allow qualified non-teachers to serve as national exam supervisors, moving away from the long-standing practice of relying mainly on TSC personnel.

• The proposal, inspired by IEBC model of hiring temporary election staff, aims to improve efficiency, accountability, and transparency in exam administration.

• It is also intended to reduce the workload on teachers who have traditionally handled supervision duties alongside their normal teaching responsibilities.

The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) is preparing to implement a major policy shift in the administration of national examinations by allowing qualified individuals outside the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), including non-teachers, to serve as examination supervisors.

The proposal, modelled on the recruitment approach used by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) during elections, is set to reshape the administration of national examinations across the country.

If adopted, it is expected to ease the workload that teachers have traditionally shouldered during examination periods while enhancing efficiency, accountability and transparency in the management of examinations.

For decades, the TSC employed teachers have played a central role in the administration of national examinations, overseeing supervision, invigilation and overall management.

While this arrangement has been instrumental in safeguarding the integrity and credibility of the examination process, teachers have frequently raised concerns over the extra responsibilities and workload that come with the exercise.

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Administering national examinations places a heavy burden on teachers, who must balance strict KNEC compliance, centre preparation, and candidate supervision alongside their regular teaching duties.

To ease the pressure during the peak academic season, a new proposal suggests KNEC recruit and contract trained external personnel. Much like the IEBC hires a temporary pool of vetted clerks and presiding officers for general elections, KNEC would deploy outside professionals specifically for exam periods.

The council believes this approach will provide the necessary manpower while safeguarding the integrity of Kenya’s national exams.

Additionally, it aims to ease the burden on teachers by reducing their non-teaching responsibilities, addressing a key concern of education stakeholders.

By Frank Mugwe