The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has dismissed reports claiming it plans to recruit non-teachers to supervise national examinations, including KCSE and KJSEA.
The council termed the claims false and misleading, saying there is no policy shift underway to replace teachers under the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) with external exam supervisors.
The clarification comes amid growing tension in the education sector over delayed payments for teachers who handled 2025 national examinations.
KNEC also faces pressure to improve efficiency and accountability in exam administration as unions threaten industrial action over unpaid dues.
KNEC Rejects Claims of New Exam Supervision Model Amid Teacher Payment Disputes
KNEC firmly denied allegations that it intends to adopt a model similar to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), where temporary staff are hired for election duties. The reports had suggested that trained non-teachers could be brought in to supervise and invigilate national exams.
The council described the claims as “fake” and reaffirmed that teachers remain central to the administration of national examinations in Kenya.
The controversy comes at a time when teachers are still demanding payment for services rendered during the 2025 examination cycle.
Many educators say the delays have caused financial strain, forcing them to absorb costs incurred during exam supervision and marking duties.
Key Issues Surrounding Exam Supervision and Payments
| Issue | Status | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Recruitment of non-teachers | Denied by KNEC | No policy change |
| Teacher payments for 2025 exams | Delayed | Financial strain |
| KUPPET industrial action threat | Active | Risk of disruptions |
| Government arrears pledge | Sh1.5B promised | Awaiting disbursement |
The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) had earlier directed members to boycott invigilation and marking duties for the 2026 national exams unless the government cleared outstanding arrears.
Teacher Unrest Over Exam Arrears Puts Pressure on Government and KNEC
The standoff between teachers and authorities continues to escalate as unions demand payment of approximately Sh1.5 billion owed for examination-related work in 2025.
Educators argue that delayed compensation undermines morale and threatens the integrity of national examinations.
In response, the National Treasury announced plans to release Sh1.5 billion to KNEC before July to settle pending bills, including payments to examiners. However, teachers remain cautious due to previous delays and unfulfilled promises.
Kenya National Examinations Council has maintained that it is focused on ensuring smooth administration of upcoming examinations while working within established structures that involve trained teachers under the Teachers Service Commission.
The ongoing dispute highlights deeper structural issues in Kenya’s examination system, particularly around compensation, workload, and institutional coordination.
Teachers continue to call for a formal agreement between KNEC and TSC to ensure timely payments and clearer accountability frameworks. Without resolution, unions warn that exam administration in 2026 could face significant disruption.
For now, KNEC insists that no policy changes have been made, and teachers will continue to play their traditional role in supervising and marking national examinations.
