With only a few days remaining before national examinations begin, the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), Busia branch, has urged teachers to boycott examination duties unless the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) reviews their remuneration in consultation with unions and the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC).
The union’s branch Secretary General, Charles Mukhwana says,teachers should not accept contracts for examination supervision, invigilation and marking until a formal engagement is held to address what he describes as inadequate pay for the demanding responsibilities assigned to them.
The warning raises concerns about the preparedness of examination administration should teachers heed the boycott call, with the examination period approaching and stakeholders under pressure to ensure a smooth exercise.
“I want to echo the sentiments of our Secretary General, Bwana Akelo Misori. As a union, we have declared that until KNEC sits down with the unions and considers the opinion of SRC on the remuneration of teachers participating in supervision, invigilation and marking, our teachers should not participate,” Charles Mukhwana
He questioned the fairness of paying some examination supervisors just 500 shillings a day, arguing that the amount does not reflect the workload and accountability expected of them during national examinations.
“It is actually pathetic that a whole principal or a hall supervisor is getting 500 shillings per day, when people working at affordable housing construction sites are paid almost 1,200 shillings a day,” he said.
He argued that the disparity demonstrates the need for a review of examination-related allowances, insisting that teachers should receive compensation commensurate with their responsibilities.
He also issued a direct appeal to teachers to stay away from examination centres and decline contracts until their concerns are addressed, warning that the union would not tolerate what it considers the exploitation of educators.
“Our teachers, please do not go to those places. Why should you go? We will not allow our teachers to be misused,” Charles Mukhwana
The union has also called on the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to intervene, arguing that it has a responsibility to protect teachers’ welfare and ensure they are not subjected to unfair treatment by other institutions.
“These are your employees. Respect your employees. Do not allow them to be frustrated by other entities like KNEC. We were never employed by KNEC,” the SG Added
Mukhwana maintained that teachers should reject examination contracts until the council demonstrates a willingness to engage stakeholders and improve the payment structure.
“I am asking our teachers: even if they bring those contracts, do not pick them until they see the sense of actually considering paying you better,” he said.
With the examinations approaching, the union’s position places renewed focus on the remuneration of teachers involved in administering national assessments and the need for dialogue between KNEC, TSC, SRC and teachers’ unions.
The unfolding dispute also presents a challenge for examination planners, who must balance teachers’ concerns over compensation with the need to ensure candidates sit their examinations without disruption.
KNEC had not provided a response to the chairman’s remarks in the information available for this report. The outcome of any planned engagement between the council and the unions will be significant in determining whether the boycott threat affects examination preparations.