National Union of Teachers (Knut) is threatening to disrupt the 2023 national exams if the government fails to pay teachers for their work during the 2022 exams. The teachers who presided over the 2022 Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) and the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams claim they have not received their payment for the exam work they did last year, despite the government acknowledging their efforts.
Knut’s Secretary General, Collins Oyuu, expressed concerns that the government had promised to pay the teachers for their work by the end of July, but the payment had not been made. Knut issued a one-week ultimatum for the government to fulfill its pledge; otherwise, its members would not participate in overseeing the 2023 exams.
Hon. Ezekiel Machogu, the cabinet secretary for education, guaranteed that the instructors would be paid soon, but after seven months, the teachers had not received their back pay. The teachers are dissatisfied with the delay and the fact that the payment they were promised has not materialized.
The dates for the 2023 KCPE and KPSEA exams are set for October 30 to November 2, while the KCSE exams are scheduled from November 3 to November 24. Knut has warned the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) not to engage them in the upcoming exams if the outstanding payment is not received.
During a Knut Suba branch annual general meeting, attended by various officials and politicians, the issue of unpaid teachers was discussed, and the Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang urged Knut not to back down in its efforts to advocate for the welfare of teachers.
The situation raises concerns about the importance of timely payment and fair treatment of teachers who play a crucial role in the education system. Failure to address these issues may lead to further disruptions in the education sector in Kenya.
By Abigael Chemok