The Ministry of Education (MoE) has dismissed as fake a letter circulating online claiming teachers contracted to supervise and mark national examinations are not entitled to separate compensation beyond their monthly salaries.
The letter alleged that invigilation, supervision, and marking of student work were integral to teachers’ professional duties and therefore covered under their regular pay. It further argued that examination-related responsibilities were an “extension of professional service” requiring no additional allowances.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba urged teachers to disregard the statement, describing it as false and misleading. “This is fake information intended to mislead the public and should be treated with the utmost contempt,” he said.
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The controversy comes at a time when teachers engaged in administering the 2025 KCSE examinations, as well as KPSEA and KJSEA assessments, have intensified demands for payment.
Tensions were heightened by another fake communication attributed to Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) Chief Executive Officer David Njengere, which claimed the council was prioritising staff salaries and loan obligations over examiner allowances.
Njengere acknowledged that examiners are owed allowances but dismissed the letter as misleading. He cited a February 12 communication from CS Ogamba confirming that the ministry was working with the National Treasury to settle outstanding payments. “The delays in disbursement of allowances have arisen from budgetary and cash flow constraints currently affecting the release of funds. We wish to assure all affected professionals that payment remains a priority,” Ogamba said.
KNEC contracted more than 32,000 examiners and 22,247 security officers for the 2025 KCSE examinations. The exercise also involved 10,765 centre managers, 12,126 supervisors, and 54,782 invigilators. For the Primary and Junior School assessments (KPSEA/KJSEA), the team was even larger, comprising 24,213 centre managers, 26,479 supervisors, and 125,492 invigilators. Additionally, 2,692 drivers were engaged to support logistics, particularly in insecure and hard-to-reach areas.
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Ogamba assured teachers and contracted professionals that the ministry, in collaboration with the Treasury, is actively working to expedite the release of funds. “Moving forward, we commit to safeguard timely payment to our contracted professionals. Further updates will be communicated as appropriate,” he said.
MoE reiterated its commitment to ensuring examiners, supervisors, and invigilators are compensated for their work, dismissing the fake letters as attempts to sow confusion among teachers and the public.
By Masaki Enock
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