KNUT opposes move to have head teachers supervise exams

The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) on Wednesday opposed the Ministry of Education’s proposal to have head teachers across the country supervise national exams, saying the move is illegal and unacceptable.

Speaking during Kenya Primary School Head Teachers (KEPSHA) annual meeting in Mombasa County, KNUT Secretary General Wilson Sossion said the proposal lacks legal backing and must be stopped.

Sossion also insisted that no head teacher will supervise or pick exams unless the current KNEC Act is amended and their welfare fully of taken care of.

At the same time, the union said that although it supports the proposed curriculum reforms, the process should not be hurried by the ministry without proper research and should ensure that there are enough learning materials.

The union further blamed the government for failing to recruit more teachers as is the case in other countries, adding that it will only sign the next CBA in October on condition that teachers’ grievances are addressed.

On her part, education parliamentary committee chairperson, Sabina Chege, appealed to KNUT officials to work closely with legislators to ensure the KNEC Act is amended quickly to pave way for the proposed reforms in the education sector.

Also present was TSC CEO Nancy Macharia who confirmed that the government has allocated Sh2.2 billion for recruitment and promotion of more than 10,000 teachers in the country.

Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang also said that the government would not accept or allow corporal punishment in schools, adding that it will encourage violence and unrest.