Kuppet wants teachers paid more for marking exam papers

Teachers have demanded higher pay for examination officials and enhanced conditions for all professionals contracted during the administration of the tests.

Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) wants the exam agency to raise marking fees for each script by at least Sh50, citing the present harsh economic times.

Kuppet argues that papers like Chemistry Paper 1, Mathematics and English Paper 1 should each be paid at not less than sh100.

Presently marking each paper attracts between Sh51 to Sh58.

“Science teachers (Biology, Chemistry and Physics) need to be considered for allowances during practical. Other practical subjects like Agriculture, Building & Construction, Music and Home Sciences should be considered too,” said Kuppet secretary general Akello Misori.

The teachers’ union also wants Kenya National Examination Council (Knec) to increase invigilators’ and supervisors’ allowances by 100 per cent, saying the present fee has been fixed for a long time.

The union also wants school heads, also known as centre managers allowance, which is presently Sh500, to be reviewed upwards.

Presently, primary school head teachers are paid a flat rate of Sh500 for the three days they oversee the administration of KCPE.

KCPE supervisors earn Sh2,485 while invigilators take home Sh1,615. Security officers are paid 1,050 while drivers earn Sh1,040.

KCSE supervisors in Nairobi and Mombasa are paid Sh695 per day for 18 days, translating to Sh12,510.

Supervisors from other regions earn Sh630 for the same number of days, translating to Sh11,340.

Invigilators in Nairobi and Mombasa earn Sh580 per day for 17 days, while invigilators from other regions get Sh460 for a similar number of days.

Secondary school principals take home a flat rate of Sh500 for 18 days, translating to Sh9,000.

Security officers who take part in KCSE’s administration earn a flat rate of Sh420 for 16 days while drivers earn Sh6,480 for the same number of days.

The union also wants transport reimbursement for supervisors and invigilators from ASAL areas to be reviewed upwards since most of the areas are expansive, forcing some to travel up to 200 km to reach their schools.

“The rates for counties such as Wajir and Tana River should be enhanced,” said Misori.

In a firm statement, Kuppet also wants coordination allowances increased by half. “Examiners’ transport allowances should be reviewed, especially when reporting to marking centres,” said Misori.

Union also wants lecturers in Teachers Training Colleges (TTCs) who assess and submit marks to KNEC to be paid for their work.

“The same should apply to TVET trainers who assess candidates on practical courses.”

On the overall conditions of teachers working conditions, Kuppet wants marking centres should be devolved and probably rotated around the country unlike now when they are only in Nairobi.

Union also wants the working hours during marking be fixed between 8.00 am to 5.00 pm to avoid fatigue.

And after the examination administration processes, Kuppet wants the teachers awarded certificates.

“Examiners should be given Certificates of Attendance to help improve their CVs for interviews during promotions,” said Misori.

Kuppet last year demanded that the venue for marking all KCSE examination papers and KCPE English composition, as well as Kiswahili insha, be moved to university campuses or other high-level government institutions.