KNEC: Government to pay examiners this week
According to Education CS Ezekiel Machogu, the Government would begin paying examiners of the 2022 Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) national examinations this week.
In order to make sure that all unpaid debts to the KNEC examiners, contractual officials, and suppliers were satisfied, CS Machogu stated that Sh. 2. billion had been set aside for that purpose.
The CS said his ministry will prioritise fast payment to examiners going forward to ensure that such delays won’t occur again. He was speaking on Saturday at Kangaru School in Manyatta Constituency, Embu, during the first Education Day by local MP Gitonga Mukunji.
He said that the council’s cash shortage caused it to hold onto the outstanding bill for more than six months after the exercise was finished.
Machogu added that they have started paying the Sh. 2.5 billion in dues to the contractors who built the Competence Based Curriculum (CBC) classes as of last week.
In addition to the 36,000 teachers hired last year, he added that the ministry will hire 24, 000 more teachers this fiscal year in order to lower the student-teacher ratio.
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By making sure there are enough instructors in our schools, we are dedicated to maintaining the quality of our education, he stated.
He praised the MP’s initiative, which would see secondary school students receive career assistance and counselling from a variety of stakeholders and professionals, calling it a game-changer in determining the future career pathways of the young brains.
In order to provide kids with job knowledge early enough in their educational careers according to their skills and talents, the CS called on other constituencies to follow suit.
The programme, according to MP Mukunji, would take place annually and be utilised to recognise the top academic schools and students.
He advocated for the reinstatement of school rankings in national exams, claiming that doing so would revive the competitive atmosphere that was beneficial to students.
Poorly performing schools will be pushed to work more, while top performers will also need to put in more work to hold onto their place, according to Mukunji.
He added that he had started a digitalization programme in all public primary and secondary schools to introduce students to the world of internet employment early in life.
According to Mukunji, the initiative include building computer labs with internet access.
Maina Karobia, an EALA member, and Gabriel Kagombe, the member of parliament for Gatundu South, were also present at the event.
