Teachers Warn of National Exam Boycott Amid Pay Dispute with KNEC

The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers, KUPPET, has issued a strong warning that it could interfere with the smooth running of this year’s national examinations and assessments, escalating tensions within Kenya’s education sector.

KUPPET is urging teachers across the country to boycott the supervision and marking of exams, citing what it describes as persistent mistreatment and unfair compensation by the Kenya National Examinations Council, KNEC.

Speaking during a televised interview on NTV Kenya on Tuesday, March 24, KUPPET National Chairperson Omboko Milemba made it clear that the union is prepared to take decisive action if their concerns are not addressed.

He stated that KUPPET would formally advise teachers to withdraw their participation in all exam-related duties, including invigilation, supervision, and marking, unless KNEC engages the union and resolves the ongoing disputes.

Milemba accused KNEC of consistently underpaying teachers who play a crucial role in administering national examinations. He revealed that in some cases, examiners are paid as little as Ksh30 per script marked, an amount he described as grossly inadequate and exploitative, especially in the context of the rising cost of living in the country.

According to him, such low pay fails to reflect the effort, expertise, and time that teachers invest in ensuring the credibility and success of national assessments.

He further explained that this situation has placed many teachers under significant financial strain, despite their central role in maintaining the integrity of Kenya’s education system.

The union leader emphasized that teachers are increasingly feeling undervalued and overworked, with little recognition or fair compensation for their contributions. In addition to the issue of low pay, Milemba also highlighted the problem of delayed payments, which he said has become a recurring and deeply frustrating concern.

He claimed that some teachers who participated in marking the 2025 national examinations have yet to receive their payments months after completing the work. This, he noted, has eroded trust between teachers and KNEC, creating uncertainty and dissatisfaction within the profession.

Quoting his remarks, Milemba said that examiners are being pushed into “very unbearable conditions,” pointing out the irony that individuals entrusted with assessing the nation’s learners are themselves struggling financially.

He called on teachers to stand firm in defending their rights, urging them to refuse to participate in exam marking this year unless concrete changes are made.

He also proposed that KNEC convene a formal meeting with KUPPET to negotiate and sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that would clearly outline fair pay structures and timely payment arrangements.

Beyond the immediate dispute, Milemba broadened his critique to include the management of education funds at the national level. He called for a comprehensive audit of financial allocations to the Ministry of Education Kenya and the Teachers Service Commission.

He questioned how billions of shillings are spent and suggested that better financial planning and accountability could help address existing gaps in the sector.

Among his proposals was the idea of consolidating bursary funds and streamlining government expenditure to free up resources. He argued that such measures could help meet critical financial needs, including the estimated Ksh2.5 billion required each month to transition approximately 44,000 intern teachers into permanent and pensionable employment terms.

Meanwhile, the government has acknowledged some of the concerns raised by teachers. Julius Ogamba, the Cabinet Secretary for Education, recently admitted that delays in payments have affected examiners, invigilators, and supervisors involved in the 2025 national examinations.

He attributed the delays to budgetary constraints and cash flow challenges within the government.

According to the ministry, efforts are currently underway in collaboration with the National Treasury to expedite the release of funds and resolve the issue. However, the assurances may do little to calm tensions in the short term, as frustration continues to grow among education professionals.

The dispute comes amid widespread complaints from teachers and other personnel involved in administering key national examinations, including the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education, the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment, and the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment.

These examinations are critical milestones in Kenya’s education system, and any disruption could have far-reaching consequences for students, parents, and institutions nationwide.

As the standoff between KUPPET and KNEC intensifies, the possibility of a boycott raises serious concerns about the preparedness and credibility of upcoming national exams. Unless a resolution is reached soon, the situation could escalate into a full-blown crisis, potentially affecting millions of learners and putting additional pressure on an already strained education system.

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