KUPPET threatens to boycott marking this year's KCSE examination

Makueni

Monday November 13, 2023

KNA by Patrick Nyakundi

The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPPET) has threatened to boycott marking this year's Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination if the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) fails to address problems affecting teachers in the country.

KUPPET National Organising Secretary Paul Maingi urged TSC to address problems facing teachers which includes risk allowance, salary harmonisation, promotions, per diem and working overtime.

Other issues to be tackled include harmonisation of allowances and mistreatment of teachers by the Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) when they failed to report to the new centres as supervisors. 

Consequently, Maingi accused TSC of always siding with KNEC as a result of which teachers face disciplinary action from their employer.

"We need to make a serious Memorandum of Understanding with KNEC. You want us to help you, help us too. All teachers will boycott marking of KCSE examinations if these issues are not addressed," warned Maingi during the Makueni Branch Annual General Assembly (AGA) meeting held at Tawa Social Hall in Mbooni East Sub county on Saturday.

Further he complained that teachers work beyond the expected time in schools and termed it as unfair labour practice since they are not paid for the services they render.

Maingi who is also a member of the KUPPET National Executive Board (NEB), asked the TSC to introduce risk allowance for teachers besides harmonising their performance and house allowances to match those in the civil service.

The Organising Secretary also challenged the TSC to promote teachers who have stagnated for a long time considering the fact that the cost of living has increased but their salary has remained constant. 

"Teachers should be paid for the extra time they spend in teaching, harmonise per diem and hardship allowances to match those of civil servants," he reiterated.

"Teachers have stagnated in one job group for long, and as a result, it has affected their ability to meet their obligations which has led to some having mental problems," lamented Maingi.

Speaking at the same event, Bungoma County Women representative and KUPPET National Secretary for Gender ((NEG) Catherine Wambilianga challenged women in the country to seek for leadership positions in the country besides calling on TSC to address with finality the insurance cover for teachers.

"I urge women in the country to stop being afraid to seek elective positions. The union should be incorporated in the committee procuring medical cover for teachers so that we can address the problems that come with the medical insurance”, Wambilianga said.

On his part, KUPPET Executive Secretary Makueni Branch Justis Kimeu asked the NEB to address the adverse economic effects of finance bill 2023 that resulted to double pension deductions from the teachers’ salary.

Kimeu challenged teachers to familiarise themselves with teachers’ code of regulations so that they may know what to do hence avoid being caught doing contrary to the employer's expectations.

Courtesy; KNA