Every examination season, thousands of teachers across Kenya leave their families, travel long distances, and dedicate countless hours to supervising, invigilating, and marking national examinations. Their work forms the backbone of the country's education system, ensuring that millions of learners receive credible and timely results.

The integrity of Kenya's examination system has always depended heavily on the commitment and professionalism of teachers. Whether stationed in remote schools, crowded urban centres, or marking centres far from home, teachers continue to carry out these responsibilities despite the demanding nature of the work. However, concerns are increasingly emerging about whether the people entrusted with safeguarding national examinations are receiving the respect and compensation they deserve.

As the cost of living continues to rise, delayed payments can have devastating consequences for teachers who often incur transport, accommodation, and personal expenses while carrying out examination duties. Many argue that expecting teachers to deliver quality work while leaving them uncertain about when they will be paid sends the wrong message about the value the country places on education.

Hello Nyakundi,

Kindly hide my identity.

I am writing to raise concerns about the continued delay in payments for teachers who supervised, invigilated, and marked examinations under KNEC.

Many of us accepted these assignments in good faith, believing that once the work was completed, we would receive our payments within a reasonable period.

Unfortunately, that has not happened.

Months later, many teachers are still waiting for money they earned through long hours of work and sacrifice.

What is frustrating is the lack of clear communication.

Most teachers do not know when the payments will be made, what is causing the delays, or whether the matter is even being treated as a priority.

We are simply told to wait.

Yet bills do not wait.

School fees do not wait.

Rent does not wait.

Many teachers made personal financial commitments expecting the payments to arrive within the usual timelines.

Today, they are struggling because the money remains outstanding.

The irony is that teachers are constantly reminded about professionalism, accountability, and meeting deadlines.

When examinations are involved, every minute matters.

Teachers are expected to report on time, supervise professionally, submit scripts promptly, and complete marking within strict deadlines.

Why then should the same teachers be left waiting indefinitely for compensation after fulfilling their responsibilities?

The message this sends is discouraging.

It creates the impression that the work of teachers is taken for granted.

Education cannot be treated as a national priority only when results are being announced.

The people who make those results possible also deserve to be treated fairly.

I am therefore appealing to KNEC, the Ministry of Education, and all relevant authorities to provide a clear update on the status of payments owed to teachers involved in examination duties.

Teachers are not asking for favours.

We are asking to be paid for work that has already been completed.

If there are delays, let there be honest communication.

If there are challenges, let them be explained.

But silence is not a solution.

The country cannot continue demanding excellence from teachers while failing to honour its obligations to them.

Concerned Teacher.