KNEC Explains Delays in Paying 2024 KPSEA and KCSE Invigilators
The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has not yet compensated teachers who supervised last year’s national examinations and assessments. Many teachers have voiced their frustration and dissatisfaction over the delayed payments, especially since the examination and assessment results were released months ago.
A KNEC official, who spoke anonymously, attributed the delays to insufficient and incomplete details of teachers who invigilated and supervised the 2024 KPSEA and KCSE exams. This shortfall has complicated the payment process, leaving many educators disgruntled.
To address the issue, KNEC sent messages to KPSEA centre managers requesting missing documentation. One such message requested scanned copies of signed and stamped attendance registers for the 2024 KPSEA assessment.
“Dear Centre Manager, KNEC is yet to receive DULY SIGNED AND STAMPED attendance register for the 2024 KPSEA assessment. This is to kindly request that you send a scanned copy to [email protected] to facilitate processing of allowances of the contracted professionals who were attached to your centres,” read a SMS sent to centre managers with missing details.
These registers are essential for processing allowances for contracted professionals attached to respective centres. The official emphasized the need for these documents to expedite the payment process.
Despite speculation that the government’s current financial constraints might be contributing to the delays, the official dismissed claims that teachers would have to wait for the next financial budget for their payments. However, similar delays occurred last year, when teachers had to wait until the following budget cycle to receive their dues.
Roles and Compensation of Contracted Professionals
Each year, KNEC contracts professionals, including teachers, drivers, and security personnel, to oversee national exams and assessments. Teachers serve as centre managers, supervisors, and invigilators. While KNEC does not provide direct compensation for services rendered by these individuals, it reimburses them for transport expenses.
Participation in invigilation and supervision holds significance for teachers, as the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) awards additional marks to those involved in these activities. For example, in the recent promotion of over 28,000 teachers, TSC allocated four marks to teachers who participated in invigilating, supervising, and marking national exams.
In response to demands from secondary school teachers, KNEC increased the reimbursement rates for contracted professionals. Invigilators and centre managers now receive Sh550 per day, while supervisors are paid Sh680 per day. These rates apply to both KPSEA and KCSE examinations.
For the 2024 examinations, KPSEA supervisors and invigilators worked for three days, earning Sh2,040 and Sh1,680, respectively. Meanwhile, KCSE supervisors and invigilators worked for 16 days, receiving Sh10,880 and Sh8,800, respectively. Centre managers overseeing both exams also receive Sh550 per day.
Union Push for Further Allowance Increases
The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has called for significant hikes in allowances for teachers officiating national exams. In a letter to Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, KUPPET Secretary-General Akello Misori proposed increasing invigilators’ daily allowance from Sh400 to Sh3,000, marking a 750% rise.
Supervisors’ daily pay was proposed to rise from Sh450 to Sh3,500, and principals acting as examination centre managers to Sh4,500.
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KUPPET urged the Cabinet Secretary to facilitate KNEC in implementing these changes, aligning with the Human Resource Policies and Procedures Manual for the Public Service. Misori noted that members are prepared to reject the current remuneration structure if their demands are not met before the upcoming examinations.
While KNEC has made strides in increasing allowances for contracted professionals, the persistent delays in payment highlight ongoing challenges. Teachers, through their union, continue to advocate for fair compensation, emphasizing the critical role they play in administering national examinations.
KNEC Explains Delays in Paying 2024 KPSEA and KCSE Invigilators
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