The administration of the 2026 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations faces uncertainty after the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) threatened to withdraw its members from examination duties over what it considers inadequate pay.
The union has directed teachers to boycott assignments organised by the Kenya National Examinations Council (Knec) until an agreement is reached on better compensation for those involved in supervising, managing and marking national examinations.
Kuppet Secretary-General Akelo Misori said the current allowances did not reflect the responsibilities placed on teachers during the examination period.
“We are asking our members to sit back and not participate in any exam conducted by the Kenya National Examination Council,” Misori said.
The warning comes just days before KCSE rehearsals scheduled for Friday, October 16. Oral and practical examinations are due to begin on October 19, while written papers will run from November 2 to November 20.
The dispute also threatens to complicate preparations for the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) and the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA), whose rehearsals are scheduled for October 23. Written assessments are expected to begin on October 26.
Knec is preparing to administer examinations and assessments to about 3.6 million candidates across the three education levels, placing pressure on the authorities to resolve the dispute before the exercise begins.
Kuppet demands higher allowances
Under the existing payment structure, KCSE supervisors receive between Sh630 and Sh680, while centre managers earn Sh500 to Sh550. Invigilators are paid between Sh430 and Sh510.
Daily allowances for examiners stand at Sh150, while marking fees generally range from Sh35 to Sh75 per examination script.
Kuppet argues that the rates are insufficient given the workload, professional responsibilities and time teachers spend away from their regular duties.
The union is demanding a minimum flat rate of Sh4,000 per day for supervisors and related examination officials. It also wants the fee for marking an individual paper raised to at least Sh100.
Misori has called on the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) to intervene and review the compensation framework.
He warned that the union would maintain its position if the authorities failed to provide assurances on improved terms.
“If they don’t give any assurances to improve examiners’ terms and conditions of service, we shall ensure that we paralyse the examination management in the entire 2026,” Misori said.
The union’s governing council reportedly endorsed the boycott directive at a meeting in Nairobi, calling on members to avoid all Knec examination assignments until negotiations produce an agreement.
Union raises concerns over marking centres
Beyond payment rates, Kuppet has criticised accommodation arrangements at examination marking centres.
The union says some teachers are housed in overcrowded dormitories and provided with inadequate bedding, adding to the difficulties they face during the marking exercise.
National chairman Omboko Milemba urged teachers to remain away from examination duties until the union and Knec agree on revised payments.
“We are telling our teachers across the country not to engage with or do any work offered by the Kenya National Examination Council until that time they will sit down with us leaders for us to agree on the payment for examiners,” Milemba said.
The union maintains that better compensation is necessary to recognise the work teachers undertake in administering and marking national examinations.
Pressure mounts ahead of the examination season
The dispute places Knec and the SRC under pressure to engage the union before the first examination activities begin.
A prolonged boycott could complicate the deployment of supervisors, invigilators and other personnel needed to administer the examinations and assess candidates’ scripts.
However, the final impact will depend on whether the parties reach an agreement and whether the threatened withdrawal proceeds as announced.
With millions of learners preparing for their examinations, a timely resolution would help limit disruption and provide certainty for candidates, schools and parents.
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