Wasike Lloyd
The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has threatened to lobby its members to boycott duties related to the administration of national examinations over what it describes as inadequate remuneration.
The union says it could mobilise teachers to withdraw from the supervision, invigilation, centre management and marking of national examinations, including KPSEA, KJSEA and KCSE, if its concerns are not addressed.
KUPPET Secretary-General Akello Misori says the union has petitioned the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) to review the terms of service and remuneration of teachers contracted by the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC).
The affected teachers include examination supervisors, invigilators, centre managers and examiners.
KUPPET says its petition is based on Article 230(4)(b) of the Constitution, which mandates the SRC to advise the national and county governments on the remuneration and benefits of public officers.
The union has also invoked Article 119 of the Constitution, which provides for the right of every person to petition Parliament on matters within its authority.
According to KUPPET, teachers continue to perform national examination duties under remuneration rates that the union considers outdated and inadequate.
For KCSE, supervisors currently receive KSh630 per day, while centre managers receive KSh500 and invigilators KSh430 per day.
For KJSEA, supervisors receive KSh4,080, centre managers KSh3,300 and invigilators KSh3,060.
For KPSEA, supervisors receive KSh2,535, centre managers KSh1,615 and invigilators KSh1,665.
KUPPET has also raised concerns over the remuneration of KNEC examiners, with the current marking rates ranging between KSh35 and KSh80, depending on the assignment.
The union is calling for a review of the rates, arguing that teachers undertaking examination duties should receive remuneration that reflects their responsibilities and workload.
KUPPET has warned that failure to address the concerns could see it lobby its members to withdraw from examination duties, potentially affecting the administration of national examinations and assessments.
The dispute now places the remuneration of teachers involved in the national examination process at the centre of discussions between KUPPET, KNEC and the Salaries and Remuneration Commission.
