The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) in Vihiga County has raised concerns over low and delayed payments to teachers involved in administering the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations.

The union’s County Executive Secretary, Charles Otiende, said KUPPET would continue engaging the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) to address the concerns, which teachers had raised before the commencement of the examinations.

Speaking to journalists during the opening of examination containers at the County Commissioner’s offices, Otiende said teachers had expected feedback from KNEC on their grievances but had received none.

“We had availed ourselves this morning hoping to get feedback from KNEC, as teachers had indicated they would not engage in examination duties without their concerns being addressed. However, we received no feedback,” he said.

He said teachers had nevertheless agreed to undertake their examination responsibilities but had asked KUPPET leadership to continue negotiations with KNEC to resolve the payment concerns.

Otiende noted that teachers had previously experienced lengthy delays in receiving their allowances, with payments for last year’s examination duties taking approximately nine months.

He also expressed concern that schools had been left to cater for teachers’ welfare during the examination period, despite facing financial constraints.

He said institutions receiving low capitation faced particular difficulties in providing adequate support for teachers involved in examination administration.

“We will continue consulting with KNEC and would like to ask the Chief Executive Officer to convene an urgent meeting to discuss and resolve the issues teachers have raised over time,” Otiende said.

He added that Vihiga County had approximately 400 teachers involved in administering the national examinations, including centre managers, deputy centre managers and supervisors.

 by Yvonne Misango and Florence Oteng’o