the Kenya Union of Post Primary Teachers (KUPPET) called on the government to raise the supervision allowances paid to teachers overseeing national examinations.
During a meeting in Kisii, union representatives expressed their concerns over the inadequate compensation teachers receive for their critical role in ensuring the smooth administration and marking of exams nationwide.
The union announced a new demand for the daily payment of sh6,000, a significant increase from the current sh600 that most teachers receive.
“We are informing the government that teachers who invigilate and supervise examinations are underpaid.
A supervisor earns sh600 a day, which is less than what workers in the informal sector, like construction handymen, make,” stated Joseph Abincha, KUPPET’s Kisii Branch General Secretary.
Abincha emphasized that the union is not communicating these concerns to the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC), asserting that teachers should not be expected to provide their services for free.
KUPPET officials also highlighted the unfairness of receiving minimal pay while the government has implemented increased tax deductions from their salaries.
They pointed to deductions for the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) and the Housing Levy, arguing that the remaining salary is insufficient to meet their daily needs.
Additionally, they criticized the government for eliminating medical allowance schemes that teachers previously enjoyed prior to the introduction of SHIF.
“Our teachers are unhappy with the 2.75 percent deductions for the medical scheme contribution, SHIF, because it has replaced their medical allowance,” noted Edward Obwocha, another KUPPET official.
This announcement comes as preparations for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations ramp up, with 1,313,913 candidates set to begin their papers on Monday, November 4.
The exams commenced on October 22, with the main papers starting November 4 at over 32,573 centers, beginning with English and Chemistry.
Joe Biden Under Fire For Labeling Donald Trump Supporters As ‘Garbage’
