No Pay, No Exams: Teachers Warn They Will Not Supervise KCSE 2026

Teachers’ unions have threatened to withdraw from administering the 2026 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations unless outstanding allowances from last year’s examinations are paid. 

The warning comes as preparations for this year’s national examinations continue. The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) says the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has not paid teachers who supervised and invigilated the 2025 KCSE examinations. 

Although the Ministry of Education has released KSh1.5 billion, KNEC still requires an estimated KSh4 billion to clear the outstanding payments. KUPPET Secretary General Akello Misori said many teachers no longer trust the council and are unwilling to take part in this year’s examinations until they receive what they are owed. 

He also criticised the low allowances, saying exam supervisors and invigilators earn far less than workers in sectors such as construction despite carrying significant responsibility. The dispute highlights a long-running challenge in Kenya’s examination system, where teachers have repeatedly raised concerns about delayed payments and low allowances for administering national examinations.

KNEC increased daily allowances in 2025, with invigilators receiving KSh450, supervisors KSh500 and centre managers KSh550. However, KUPPET maintains that the increases do not reflect the workload and responsibility involved. A boycott by teachers could disrupt the administration of the KCSE and affect the smooth running of one of the country’s most important examinations.

At the same time, the Ministry of Education is continuing preparations for the next phase of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC). Grade 9 learners will begin selecting their preferred senior schools, learning pathways and subject combinations from 24 August to 11 September as they prepare to move to Grade 10. 

The exercise is part of the transition for the second group of junior school learners, who will sit the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) before joining senior school in 2027. Principal Secretary for Basic Education John Ololtuaa has instructed regional and county education officials to oversee the process and ensure all deadlines are met.

The ministry has also scheduled a series of virtual sensitisation sessions for education officials and school heads from 3 August. The sessions will cover school capacity declarations, pathway updates and quality assurance measures to support the placement process. Senior school principals, regional directors and junior school heads will take part in the briefings as part of the preparations.