There’s a growing disquiet among Teachers Service Commission, (TSC) field officers that is likely to affect national assessments if Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) doesn’t step in. Education news has established that, TSC field officers especially curriculum support officers have threatened to reject any engagement with KNEC over what they term as absolute mistreatments when contracted to man containers.
Speaking to Education News from Western, Eastern, South Rift and, Coast regions, the officers were if the view that they are sometimes assigned to containers far away from their areas of operations and they are not facilitated with accommodation and upkeep for the one month exercise.
“Only the ministry of Education officers are given allowances as we’re compelled to operate under duress. No this can’t happen,” said one CSO who further hinted of not accepting his contact next if terms are not improved.
In Western region, a group of dismayed officers wondered why their employer is leaving them to be mishandled by both MoE and KNEC in a mandate that is not key in for them.” National assessments are not part of the mandate of TSC. Why then are our sub county and county Directors not concerned with our welfare during the assessment period,” said Khaleed Abdi an Examination management desk officer from western region.
ALSO READ:
Kisii University launches probe into alleged irregular access to academic transcripts
The officers further alluded that a quality assurance officer, driver and clerks seconded the second containers in various sub counties were facilitated with stipends for the exam period while leaving the TSC based officers. It is reported that most of the officers are forced to sleep with security men manning the containers even during this time when the rain is incessant.
TSC has seconded over 1500 of its officers to various exam distribution points to supplement deficit in MoE. It is also said that most of the officers in the second containers are finding it hard to go round monitoring the ongoing exams due to lack of vehicles assigned to them. This is said to be brewing cases of cheating especially when the unscrupulous principals learn that there is no monitoring team going round.
By Naboth Murunga
You can also follow our social media pages on Twitter: Education News KE and Facebook: Education News Newspaper for timely updates.
>>> Click here to stay up-to-date with trending regional stories
>>> Click here to read more informed opinions on the country’s education landscape
