Kenya national examinations council has declined to meet demands made by KCSE examiners on Tuesday.
Teachers marking CRE Paper 1 on Tuesday had a stand-off with education officials decrying poor working conditions.
A statement by KNEC Chairperson Julius Nyabundi clarified that the initial agreement can not be adjusted midway.
“Since the issue of the examiner’s marking fee is an individual contract, and agreed to before reporting to a centre, the Council found it impossible to find an extra budget to revise the rates midway,” Nyabundi said.
The council further asked teachers who wished to proceed to mark the papers to stay. While those who did not wish to proceed were allowed to clear from St Francis Mangu high.
“In the meantime, the Council has invited trained examiners from its database to ensure the smooth progress of the exercise,” he added.
Education CS Ezekiel Machogu and basic education PS Belio Kipsang arrived at the school to calm the situation.
The teachers are demanding better working conditions before they resume marking.
They had earlier demanded that the current Chief Examiner be removed, a demand that was fulfilled after Macharia appointed a replacement in an acting capacity as talks continued.
Kenya Union of post-primary education teachers secretary general Akello Misori said the examiners have been subjected to tough working conditions.
Misori while addressing the press on Tuesday demanded the examinations council improve the working conditions in all marking centres.
“Teachers have said enough is enough and if the conditions are not improved then we will soon call for a total boycott of the marking process,” Misori said.
Misori said the current charges by the Kenya National examinations council have been a constant figure over the years.
