Author: Hezron Rooy

Head Teachers Push for Pay Rise and Promotions to Job Group D2 and D3. Over 15,000 primary school head teachers are campaigning for salary increases and career advancement to principal positions, arguing that their responsibilities have grown significantly. The 25th annual Kenya Primary School Heads Association (Kepsha) conference concluded on Thursday with head teachers urging for an increase in capitation funding, aligning with recommendations from the Presidential Working Party on Education. Kepsha members also demanded a change in the grading system to allow primary school head teachers to advance from job group D1 to D2 or D3. Currently, D1 is…

KUPPET Wants Junior Secondary Domiciled in Secondary Schools. The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) is urging the government to relocate Junior Secondary School (JSS) to secondary schools rather than primary schools, emphasizing the need to address infrastructure and staffing challenges. KUPPET argues that the shift will prevent potential disruptions in education due to unpreparedness and inadequate facilities. Two years after the government introduced JSS, KUPPET officials expressed concerns about its implementation. They cautioned that schools might not meet the required infrastructure standards by January 2025, risking a crisis. Join Teachers Updates on Facebook “We know very well…

KUPPET Pushes for Consolidation of Education Funds for Free Education. The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has proposed consolidating all educational funds, including the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and various bursary funds, into a single pool. KUPPET argue that this approach would help streamline funding, enable better resource allocation, and ultimately provide free education from primary through university levels. They added that such measures could also support salary increments for teachers by over 40%, attributing the current inefficiencies to corruption. KUPPET underscored the lack of adequate resources and facilities in primary schools to support effective JSS education.…

Another KCSE Candidate Dies After Lack of Medical Cover. In Shinyalu, Kakamega County, a family is grieving the sudden death of their son, a Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) candidate, who passed away at home due to the lack of medical cover for hospitalization. The deceased, Eugene Makale, reportedly began with a sore throat, which later escalated, ultimately claiming his life. Makale’s father recounted that his son had fallen seriously ill in the evening and had trouble swallowing food due to intense throat pain. As the illness progressed, they were forced to rely on over-the-counter drugs purchased from a…

Candidates and Parents Defrauded in KCSE Exam Paper Scam on Telegram As the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams proceed, social media fraudsters have exploited candidates, teachers, and parents by promising unauthorized access to exam papers. An investigation by NTV has uncovered a widespread scam on Telegram, where fraudsters are exploiting the ongoing KCSE exams. According to the report, scammers advertise access to the KCSE papers for a specified fee, promising that the amount paid will determine the number of exam papers a person can access. Fraudsters are reportedly taking photos of exam papers during or immediately after they…

Telegram Restricted in Kenya to Combat KCSE Exam Cheating: Suspension Schedule. In the past week, Telegram users in Kenya have reported a significant drop in the app’s response rate. Whether in accessing chats, loading images, or joining groups, numerous users have struggled with the platform. The cause behind this limited functionality has now been revealed to be a temporary restriction imposed within the country. Exam-Related Restrictions on Telegram The Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams began on Monday, November 4, prompting a series of restrictions on social media usage. Join Teachers Updates on Facebook Telegram has been a particular…

PS Kipsang’ Announces Drastic Drop in KCSE Exam Malpractice Cases for 2024. Dr. Belio Kipsang’, the Principal Secretary (PS) for Basic Education, reported a significant reduction in cases of exam malpractice during the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams this year. After supervising the distribution of the 2024 KCSE exam papers in Kikuyu sub-county on Friday, Dr. Kipsang’ noted that the use of mobile phones during the exams had decreased to its lowest level in recent years. Dr. Kipsang’ highlighted that incidents of attempted mobile phone use during the exams were notably fewer compared to previous years. He expressed…

Teachers in Nairobi Advocate for Hardship Area Status and Allowances. Teachers in Nairobi are urging the government to recognize the city as a hardship zone and extend allowances to educators working in the area, similar to those offered in other regions. This request comes from the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Nairobi branch, which seeks to highlight the unique challenges teachers face in the city, particularly in slum areas. Through a memorandum submitted to 17 Nairobi MPs, led by KNUT Nairobi Executive Secretary Macharia Mugwe, the teachers advocate for Special Allowances for those serving in these high-need regions. Challenges…

Ministry Reports Rise in Pregnant Candidates for KCSE Exams This Year. Dr. Belio Kipsang’, the Principal Secretary of Basic Education, reported a concerning rise in the number of pregnant candidates taking the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams in hospitals this year compared to 2023. Addressing the public during the KCSE examination paper distribution event in Kikuyu on Friday, he emphasized that the increase is a societal issue that should alarm the community. “Numbers of girls sitting examination in hospitals have slightly gone up, parents let us engage our children so that we can protect them against situations that…

Govt Assures Readiness for Grade 8 to 9 Transition in January 2025. The Kenyan government has reinforced its commitment to ensuring a smooth transition for learners advancing from Grade 8 to Grade 9 in January 2025. Deputy Chief of Staff Eliud Owalo highlighted the comprehensive measures in place to support this transition, including plans for classroom expansion, teacher recruitment, and digital training programs. To accommodate the influx of Grade 9 students in early 2025, the government has finalized plans for constructing an additional 16,000 classrooms in comprehensive schools across Kenya. Owalo confirmed that financial mechanisms are already established to facilitate…