KUPPET Wants KNEC to Harmonize Rates of Marking KCSE Examinations
The Kenya Union of Post Primary Teachers (KUPPET) wants the government to review the rates of marking the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examiners to Kes 100 per paper.
At the moment, examiners are paid different rates depending on the subjects they mark.
Christian Religious Education (CRE) subject examiners are paid Kes 55 for every script while markers of other subjects are paid between Kes 60 and Kes 70 per script.
KUPPET officials recently called for harmonization for markers which they believe will stop year-on-year disputes among professionals who are involved in the marking exercise.
The union’s officials paid an impromptu visit to St. Francis Girls High School – Mang’u KCSE marking center in Gatundu North, Kiambu County which was closed on Tuesday evening following examiners’ protests over mistreatment by the then Chief Examiner and poor pay.
KNEC replaced the Chief Examiner but this did not satisfy the protesting examiners who went further to call for an upwards review of the payment rates for the CRE Paper 1 examination.
The KUPPET delegation consisted of Julius Korir, the union’s vice chairperson, and decried the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) for consistently underpaying the examination markers.
“We are agitating for these teachers to be paid Kes 100 and above per paper marked. At the moment there is no harmony and this had brought on sustained infighting. This must come to an end,” said Korir.
Korir claimed that despite the fact that examiners are required to undergo huge volumes of paperwork, the government is still paying them small rates.
He said that the Examiners had been waking up as early as 4 a.m. and not resting until 10 p.m. causing them great distress.
Korir urged the Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu to convene a conference with key stakeholders in 24 hours following the dismissal of the markers on Tuesday who had been working from St Francis Girls High School – Mang’u with armed police officers present to ensure they vacate.
Ronald Tonui, KUPPET’s national assistant treasurer implored KNEC to consult with other stakeholders to avoid escalation of the issue.
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