Church tells government and Kuppet to embrace dialogue

The Government and the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) have been urged to embrace dialogue.

This follows a recent announcement by the union that they may not participate in invigilating, supervising and marking the coming national exams.

Catholic Bishop of Nakuru Diocese Cleophas Oseso Tuka says this was a serious matter, which the government and the union should address with haste.

“Education and exams are a key component in the lives of our children. It is our plea that the rights of our children are not affected by the views or conduct of other parties.”

Poor payments

The union had issued the threats last week decrying poor payments and conditions for teachers tasked with duties and responsibilities in the examination process.

Bishop Tuka who spoke after prayers for Standard Eight and Form Four candidates at St Mary’s Girls Nakuru urged the government to heed to the teachers’ plea.

“The economic conditions have changed and the teachers have always complained that they do much work for less pay. We plead with the government to review the pay,” said the bishop.

According to data from the Kenya National Examinations Council, 1.2 million Grade six and another 1.4 million Standard Eight candidates will sit for national exams.

The Standard Eight candidates who will sit for the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education will be the last cohorts of the 8-4-4 education system in primary schools.

Another 903,260 Form Four students are registered as candidates for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education.

The exams are expected to kick off at the end of this month.