The Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) is facing criticism after claims that it unjustly prevented several teachers from participating in the marking of the 2024 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Examinations (KCSE).
During a meeting with the Standing Committee on Education on Thursday, Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka inquired about the reasons behind the exclusion of 32 teachers from Poroko Friends School in Narok County from the marking process.
Onyonka stated that, despite having the necessary qualifications, the examination council chose not to allow these teachers to take part in marking.
The senator criticized the Ministry of Education for what he described as the unfair treatment of these teachers and sought clarification on whether the decision to exclude them from this important task could be reconsidered.
He also urged the committee to investigate claims of intimidation, threats, and incitement directed at some teachers from Poroko Friends School.
Furthermore, the Standing Committee on Education was asked to provide an explanation for the mass transfer of teachers from the school.
In his address to education stakeholders, Onyonka urged the Ministry of Education to implement effective measures to ensure that teacher transfers do not have a negative impact on the educators involved.
He also called on committee members to take immediate action to support the teachers affected by the mass transfers carried out by the Teachers’ Service Commission (TSC).
“The committee should detail any steps the Ministry of Education is taking to ensure that teacher transfers are conducted in a way that is fair, non-discriminatory, non-punitive, and humane for those affected,” Onyonka recommended.
Several other teachers had been barred from marking last year’s Exams with KNEC refusing to give reasons for cancelling some of the invites.
The Council had said the justifications are ‘confidential’, and dismissed claims that those rejected came from schools that were suspected to have been involved in exam malpractices.
Knec’s response came after uproars from Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET ) branch officials led by Vihiga executive secretary Sabala Inyeni, who complained bitterly that it was unfair considering that some of the markers received the communication when they had already reported for the national exercise.
