Senator Onyonka Questions KNEC’s Alleged Decision to Stop 32 Teachers From Marking KCSE

The Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) has come under scrutiny following allegations that it unwarrantedly stopped several teachers from marking the 2024 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Examinations (KCSE).

Addressing the Standing Committee on Education on Thursday, February 20, Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka demanded to know the circumstances under which 32 teachers from Poroko Friends School in Narok County were barred from marking the national examinations.

According to Onyonka, despite having the requisite qualifications, the examination council declined to offer the teachers a chance to participate in the marking process.

The legislator, while questioning the incident, faulted the Ministry of Education over what he termed as the victimisation of the said teachers and demanded to know whether the alleged decision to bar the teachers from the crucial process was subject to revision.

During the meeting, the lawmaker also asked the committee to verify whether investigations were carried out into the alleged intimidation, threats, and incitement against some teachers from Poroko Friends School.

Similarly, the Standing Committee on Education was tasked to explain and justify the reason behind the mass transfer of teachers from the school.

While addressing the education stakeholders, Onyonka called on the Ministry of Education to establish proper measures to ensure that the transfer of teachers does not impact teachers negatively in any way.

Additionally, the Senator called on the committee members to immediately intervene for the teachers affected by the mass transfers done by the Teachers’ Service Commission (TSC).

“The committee should outline any measures the Ministry of Education is taking to ensure that teacher transfers are done in a manner that will not be adverse, discriminatory, punitive or inhumane to those affected,” Onyonka suggested.

Meanwhile, Onyonka’s demands come barely two weeks after TSC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Nancy Macharia was reportedly accused of orchestrating the mass transfer of teachers in Turkana Country.

Addressing the press on Saturday, February 8, the Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (KESSHA) Secretary General Michael Ejikon accused TSC of allegedly transferring more than 47 teachers from various schools in Turkana County without replacement.

According to Ejikon, TSC blatantly breached the law by apparently denying the children from the marginalised communities education, which falls under the government’s mandates.

Ejikon’s sentiments were backed by the Kenya Union of Post Primary School Teachers (KUPPET) representative in Turkana, Areman Simon, who faulted TSC for undermining education in the Northern county.

“You cannot transfer five teachers from one station; that is a disservice to the learners of Turkana County. Who will teach them once you transfer the five teachers?” Areman questioned.

He added, “You cannot transfer a teacher who has not requested the transfer, and we have an example in a nearby high school where a teacher has been transferred despite declining the decision.”