Learning in secondary schools in Trans Nzoia is being threatened with disruption by officials of the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) over the delayed payment of Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) allowances.
Demonstrations were held in Kitale town by teachers led by Trans Nzoia KUPPET Executive Secretary Dan Kutai, during which the government and the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) were accused of failing to address teachers’ concerns.
The teachers marched through the town carrying placards and singing before their complaints were presented to Deputy TSC Director Vincent Mamai at the county offices on behalf of TSC County Director Solomon Lassewa.
A warning was issued by Kutai that tougher action would be taken by teachers if the government fails to act.
“The firmest step that has never been taken before will be taken. The government is being urged to listen,” he said.
It was stated by the union that many teachers who served as examiners, invigilators, and supervisors during last year’s national examinations have not been paid.
“If examiners, supervisors and invigilators are not paid by the government, learning will be completely paralysed,” Kutai said.
Permanent employment for 44,000 Junior Secondary School (JSS) intern teachers was also demanded by KUPPET.
It was argued by the officials that the Sh17,000 paid to JSS interns is too little compared to the workload assigned in schools.
“It is considered illogical that JSS interns are being paid Sh17,000 while quality education is expected,” Kutai said.
Removal of the Career Progression Guidelines (CPG) was also demanded by the union on the grounds that many teachers have remained in the same job groups for years without promotion.
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It was further called for by KUPPET that JSS teachers be allowed to operate independently instead of being placed under primary school management, with claims that implementation of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) is being negatively affected.
By Osborn Manyengo
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