The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), Vihiga Branch, has raised concerns over capitation, management of national examinations and implementation of new Career Progression Guidelines (CPG), warning that failure to address the issues could affect learning during the third term.
KUPPET Vihiga Executive Secretary Charles Otiende urged the Government and the Ministry of Education to urgently address the concerns and engage relevant stakeholders to ensure schools begin and run the third term smoothly.
Speaking in Vihiga on Tuesday, Otiende said the three issues had continued to cause uncertainty among teachers and school administrators and could affect the effective delivery of education if left unresolved.
On capitation for free day secondary schools, Otiende claimed there was a discrepancy between the amount announced by the Government and the funds actually disbursed to schools.
He said the Government had indicated that each learner was allocated Sh22,225, but schools had received Sh14,050 per learner.
According to Otiende, the amount disbursed comprised Sh6,577 in the first term, Sh4,481 in the second term and Sh2,992 in the third term.
He further claimed that Sh2,005 per learner had been retained, comprising Sh1,375 in the first term, Sh285 in the second term and Sh345 in the third term.
“The total amount received by schools is Sh16,055, yet the Government told the public and parents that it had sent Sh22,225 per learner,” Otiende said.
He said the shortfall was putting pressure on school heads, particularly because parents had been discouraged from paying additional school fees.
“The Ministry of Education and the President should be clear and speak the truth so that the public can understand the strain that schools and principals are enduring because parents have refused to pay school fees,” he said.
Otiende said the third term was particularly demanding because schools were required to purchase examination chemicals and other learning materials.
He warned that if the Government failed to release the outstanding funds, KUPPET could direct principals to ask parents to meet the Sh6,170 deficit.
On management of Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) examinations, Otiende said three examinations were expected to be conducted during the third term and that the union had advised its members to withdraw from KNEC-related duties.
He accused KNEC of subjecting teachers to unfair labour practices by failing to provide certainty on payment for examination-related duties.
“This year alone, teachers have really suffered because those who have been paid were not paid on time while others are yet to be paid,” he said.
Otiende claimed that 17 teachers in Vihiga were yet to receive payment for examination-related work undertaken last year.
He said KUPPET had written to KNEC demanding a formal contract for teachers participating in examination activities.
According to Otiende, the proposed agreement should clearly define the scope of work, remuneration, overtime and risk allowances, as well as specify when teachers should be paid.
He also called for revision of examination-duty rates and payment of daily subsistence allowance in line with the relevant Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) circular.
Otiende said teachers undertake examination duties alongside their normal responsibilities and should therefore be provided with clear terms of engagement and timely compensation.
On the Career Progression Guidelines, Otiende said delays in implementing agreed changes were a major concern that could affect teachers’ morale and, consequently, learning during the third term.
He said the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) covering the period 2025–2029 provided for the removal of the existing CPG and introduction of new job groups aimed at improving teachers’ welfare and career progression.
Otiende said the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) had completed its part of the process and submitted its report to SRC, but claimed that the commission had not formally acknowledged receipt.
He said teachers were waiting for implementation of the new job groups developed through public participation.
Otiende added that the KUPPET national office had written to SRC, giving it 14 days to respond, after which the union would issue further directions on the next course of action.
He said teachers needed clarity on the new career structure to enable them to plan their professional growth and understand their progression within the teaching service.
The union executive secretary called on the Government and the Ministry of Education to convene a meeting with KUPPET, TSC, KNEC, SRC and other relevant stakeholders to resolve the three issues before they disrupt learning.
“We are requesting the Government and the Ministry of Education to move with speed and call the stakeholders to a meeting so that these three issues can be resolved,” he said.
By Florence Oteng’o
