As the wheels of the education system turn, the Kenya National Examinations Council (Knec) has embarked on the disbursement of payments to the dedicated teachers who served as exam invigilators, supervisors, and centre managers during the 2023 national exams and assessments. This article delves into the intricacies of the payment process, shedding light on rates, categories of professionals involved, and noteworthy details.
The Payment Process
Knec initiated the payment process on Wednesday, January 17th, 2024, for teachers who played crucial roles as exam invigilators, supervisors, and centre managers in the 2023 national exams. However, reports indicate that some teachers, particularly those overseeing the grade 6 KPSEA exams, are still awaiting their payments.
Professional Roles in National Exams
Annually, Knec contracts a diverse group of professionals, including teachers, security personnel, and drivers, to assist in administering national exams. Teachers, in particular, serve as exam supervisors, invigilators, centre managers, and exam markers. In 2023, a substantial 234,473 teachers contributed to the smooth conduct of national exams.
Exam Statistics
The 2023 national exams saw a significant number of candidates participating, with 1,415,315 candidates sitting for the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) exams and 1,282,574 candidates taking the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA). In secondary schools, 903,260 candidates undertook the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams.
Special Recognition for Examiners: Knec acknowledged the invaluable contribution of teachers who participated in marking KCPE English Sign Language Composition and Kiswahili Insha by awarding them certificates. Notably, as the country transitions fully to the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) in primary schools, Knec honored 5,755 examiners with certificates.
Timely Payments and Unique Challenges:
In contrast to previous years where delays in payments were reported, Knec made early payments to examiners who successfully completed marking KCPE English Sign Language Composition and Kiswahili Insha in 2023. The article also highlights the challenges faced in 2022, where teachers waited nearly a year for their dues due to funding constraints from the treasury.
Payment Rates for Contracted Professionals:
The rates for contracted professionals varied based on their roles and the region of engagement. For example:
- Centre Managers for KCPE/KPSEA received Sh500 per day for 4 days, totaling Sh2,000.
- Invigilators for KCSE in Nairobi & Mombasa received Sh580 per day for 17 days, totaling Sh9,860.
- Supervisors for KCSE in Other Regions received Sh630 per day for 18 days, totaling Sh11,340.