- KUPPET wants KNEC and TSC to sign a binding agreement guaranteeing prompt payment for teachers involved in national examinations.
- The union says delayed payments have become a recurring problem despite teachers playing a critical role in examination administration.
- KUPPET also raised concerns over Junior Secondary School teacher transfers and renewed calls for JSS autonomy.
The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has called for a legally binding commitment from the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) to guarantee prompt payment for teachers engaged in national examination duties.
Speaking during a visit to schools in Kakamega County, KUPPET National Secretary for Junior Secondary Schools Omari Omari acknowledged that KNEC had begun paying some teachers who participated in examination administration and marking.
However, he said delayed payments remain a recurring problem that requires a permanent solution.
Omari urged KNEC and the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to sign a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) requiring the examinations body to settle teachers’ dues immediately after they complete assigned duties.
He said teachers should not continue facing uncertainty over payments despite playing a critical role in administering national examinations.
“KNEC has finally paid some teachers who participated in examination-related duties, but there must be a clear framework guaranteeing prompt payment in future. Teachers should not have to wait for months to receive compensation for services already rendered,” he said.
The KUPPET official warned that unless such an agreement is reached through consultations involving teachers’ unions, educators may be advised to withhold full participation in future KNEC activities.
JSS transfers
Besides the payment issue, Omari expressed concern over the increasing number of Junior Secondary School teachers being transferred under what the union considers unfair circumstances.
He said although TSC has the constitutional mandate to deploy teachers, transfers should never be used as punitive measures and must respect teachers’ welfare.
Omari also reminded teachers that transfers outside their sub-counties attract facilitation and compensation under existing regulations.
The union official renewed KUPPET’s call for greater administrative autonomy for Junior Secondary Schools, arguing that many of the management challenges facing JSS teachers stem from the current governance structure.
He urged KUPPET branches across the country to continue engaging county education officials to ensure policies affecting teachers are implemented effectively.
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The latest demands are expected to reignite debate over the welfare of teachers involved in national examinations and the management of Junior Secondary Schools.
By Jeff Kirui
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