Teachers To Earn More As KNEC Increases Invigilation Payment

Teachers who served as examiners, supervisors and invigilators during national examinations will now earn more following a revision of the payment structure by the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC).

KNEC has implemented a three per cent increment on allowances paid to teachers and other contracted professionals involved in the administration of national examinations and assessments. The council says the move is aimed at recognising the commitment and dedication of educators who play a key role in ensuring the credibility of the country’s examination system.

In a statement, KNEC also acknowledged concerns raised by teachers over delays in payment of allowances owed for services rendered during the 2024 and 2025 examination cycles, assuring them that efforts are underway to fast-track the settlement of all outstanding dues.

“KNEC is aware of concerns regarding delayed payments owed to contracted professionals who served in the 2024 and 2025 examination cycles. We understand the frustration this has caused,” the council said.

It added that allowances and coordination fees are currently being processed as a matter of priority.

“Please be assured that your allowances and coordination fees are being processed, and every effort is being made to ensure all payments are settled in full as soon as possible,” the statement read.

KNEC further noted that it is working closely with the Ministry of Education and the National Treasury to ensure no eligible teacher or contracted professional is left unpaid.

“The Council, working closely with the Ministry of Education and the National Treasury, remains fully committed to ensuring that no eligible educator or contracted professional is left unpaid for services rendered. Continued communication will be provided through our official channels,” Knec said.

The upward revision of allowances follows sustained pressure from teachers’ unions, particularly the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), which has previously pushed for better pay for teachers involved in exam administration.

Confirming the increment, KNEC said all eligible examiners, supervisors and invigilators will benefit from the revised rates.

“We have updated and increased the pay by three per cent to better recognize your commitment and dedication. This increment applies to all eligible examiners, supervisors, and invigilators,” the council stated.

The changes mean teachers will receive enhanced payments once all dues are released under the new structure.

Every year, KNEC contracts thousands of professionals to support the smooth running of national examinations. These include teachers who serve as centre managers, supervisors and invigilators, as well as drivers and security personnel.

During the 2025 national examinations and assessments, a total of 77,600 teachers were contracted to work across various examination centres countrywide.

The teachers were involved in administering major assessments, including the Grade 6 Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA), the Grade 9 Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA), and the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE).

While KNEC does not directly pay teachers for invigilation services at examination centres, it reimburses transport and related expenses after exams are completed, marked and results officially released.

On January 9, during the release of the 2025 KCSE results, Principal Secretary for Basic Education Julius Bitok assured teachers and other stakeholders that payment of dues would be prioritised.

“I want to assure all our stakeholders who participated in the 2025 exams that we are working very closely with Treasury and their dues will be paid as soon as possible. We are working on that,” Bitok said, drawing applause from those in attendance.

The release of KPSEA results, which were the last assessment required before payments could be processed, has now paved the way for the settlement of outstanding allowances.

KNEC has, however, come under pressure almost every year over delays in paying teachers involved in exam administration.

In November last year, the Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) Secretary General Collins Oyuu warned the examinations council against delaying payments, saying teachers would no longer tolerate prolonged wait times.

Oyuu urged KNEC to ensure all teachers are paid by January, cautioning that continued delays could trigger unrest within the profession.

With the new increment and renewed assurances from KNEC and the Ministry of Education, teachers now hope that payments will not only be increased but also released on time going forward.

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