Teachers in Meru County have issued a strike notice set to take effect at the start of the next school term on April 27, citing delayed payments for work done during the 2024/2025 national examinations.
The affected group, comprising thousands of teachers contracted by the Kenya National Examinations Council, say they are yet to be paid for supervising and marking key national assessments conducted late last year. These include the KPSEA, KJSEA, KCSE, and KCPE examinations.
According to union officials, the delay has stretched for months, with teachers still waiting for compensation for duties carried out in November and December.
“We marked and supervised national exams in November and December. Until now in April, we are still asking to be paid,” said Morris Njira.
The teachers expressed frustration that despite the National Treasury releasing Ksh1.5 billion to KNEC on April 14, the funds have not reached the contracted staff.
They warn that the prolonged delay has taken a toll on their livelihoods, with many struggling to recover costs incurred during the examination period and to meet basic expenses as schools prepare to reopen.
Unless the issue is resolved urgently, the teachers say learning activities could be disrupted at the beginning of the new term, as they push for immediate settlement of their dues.
