The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has threatened to ask teachers to withdraw from the administration and marking of the 2026 national examinations if their allowances are not reviewed.
KUPPET Secretary-General Akelo Misori said the current payments for teachers involved in examinations do not reflect the work and responsibilities they are given.
Speaking on Thursday, September 24, Misori said the union had asked the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) to review the allowances paid to examiners, supervisors, invigilators and centre managers.
He questioned why teachers carrying out examination duties were being paid what he considers low rates despite the responsibilities involved.
“We want to remind the SRC to be on the frontline to safeguard the rights of the teachers or workers who undertake such projects,” Misori said.
He explained that KUPPET could persuade its members to shun any examination duty in case the SRC ignores the problem.
“Going forward, if not, we will be urging teachers not to take on such examinations management programs starting with Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) up to Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE),” he stated.
The move might have implications on the management of the national exams ranging from KPSEA to KCSE as schools and examination personnel prepare for the 2026 examination year expected to start in October.
The union has also made a petition to the SRC over what it calls out-of-date payments for teachers hired by the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC).
The dispute over examination payments comes as KUPPET continues to raise other concerns affecting teachers.
KUPPET opposes education Bills
The union has also criticised the ongoing process to change education laws through six proposed Bills, including the Basic Education Bill 2026.
Misori said the proposed changes should not be made before the government develops the policies that would guide them.
“The current Education Bill being canvassed is being done outside the established law. It is outside the sector plan, outside a known sessional paper. You cannot legislate before developing policy,” he said.
The National Assembly Departmental Committee on Education is currently conducting public participation on the proposed Basic Education Bill, with the exercise extended to October 2 to cover more counties.
KUPPET has questioned the pace and process of the consultations and has previously called for the hearings to be suspended.
The union’s latest position on examination allowances comes weeks after the Education Ministry held talks with KUPPET officials over a range of teachers’ grievances, including pay, promotions, working conditions and the remuneration of teachers involved in national examinations.
