The government has begun the long-awaited process of paying dues owed to 2022 Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) examiners, contracted officials and suppliers.
Speaking at Kangaru School in Manyatta Constituency, Embu County, Education CS Ezekiel Machogu noted the council had started paying contractors who undertook the construction of Competence Based Curriculum (CBC) classes and teachers who took part in national examinations marking their dues amounting to Ksh2.5 billion.
“Nearly 1,950 contractors who constructed the CBC classes countrywide have been paid from last week. If you haven’t received your dues, you may visit the County Director of Education so that you may be remunerated,” he stated.
Machogu added that the delay had been prompted by a cash crunch at the council that compelled it to maintain the pending bill for over seven months from the time the exercise was completed.
He also added that he will prioritise on-time payment to examiners just so as to ensure no such delays re-occur.
In the same breath, the CS said the ministry will be employing 24,000 teachers this financial year. This will be an addition to the 36,000 employed last year.
In attendance, was area MP Gitonga Mukunji who organised the Education Day event with the aim of awarding the best-performing schools and students in academics.
Payment of the teachers who supervised, invigilated and marked the 2022 national exams had remained pending without clear confirmation of when the dues would be disbursed.
Earlier in the year, Nominated Senator Esther Okenyuri defended the teachers who ahd not been paid in the senate. She sought clarification why the government had taken long to release the funds.
The National Examination Council (KNEC) hired 28,408 teachers as centre administrators, 28,727 as supervisors, 74,990 as invigilators, and 5,647 as examiners.
KCSE supervisors earn Ksh2,485 while invigilators take home Ksh1,615 per day. Security officers take home Ksh1,050 while drivers earn Ksh1,040.
The hired 28,408 KCSE centre managers are paid Ksh9,000 per day for 18 days, translating to Ksh36,000.
