Teachers awaiting payment for work on the 2025 national examinations have been told the outstanding Sh1.5 billion will be cleared before the 2026/2027 budget reading. The Treasury has pledged to fast-track settlement so invigilators, examiners and other education staff receive their owed allowances within the current financial year.
Key Takeaways
- KNEC payments of Sh1.5 billion for 2025 exam duties are expected before the June 11 budget reading.
- The Treasury says payments will be fast-tracked after consultations with the Ministry of Education.
- Teachers and unions remain watchful and want funds reflected in accounts before the new financial year.
- Recent government allocations to KNEC were for 2026 exam preparation and did not cover 2025 arrears.
KNEC payments: What happened and why it matters
National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi announced urgent measures to settle the outstanding exam allowances owed to teachers and exam staff for work done during the 2025 national exams. The decision follows public tension between the Treasury and the Ministry of Education and pressure from teacher unions.
This payment matters because many primary and secondary teachers have not received allowances for invigilation, marking and related duties. Unpaid exam allowances affect household budgets for educators and can disrupt future exam administration if grievances go unresolved.
Background and timeline
Earlier assurances from the Basic Education Principal Secretary said dues would be cleared by the end of May after discussions with the President, but the deadline passed without payment. The Treasury initially said funds allocated to the Ministry had been fully disbursed. After pressure from the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) and intervention by senior leaders, the Treasury committed to settling the Sh1.5 billion before the national budget is presented on June 11.
Who is affected
- Primary and secondary school teachers who invigilated and marked the 2025 exams.
- Exam supervisors and other assessment staff who served during the exam cycle.
- Support staff such as security and drivers where applicable.
What the Treasury has pledged
The Treasury says it has taken steps to fast-track payment processing following urgent consultations with the Ministry of Education. The goal is to clear arrears within the current financial year so teachers receive their allowances before the June 11 budget reading.
It is important to note that a separate allocation of Sh9.9 billion to KNEC was announced for preparation of the 2026 examinations and does not cover the 2025 arrears. The Treasury’s new guarantee specifically targets the outstanding amount owed to exam personnel from the previous year.
Actions teachers and schools should take
- Monitor bank accounts closely in the days following the Treasury statement and keep payment records.
- Retain copies of attendance, duty and marking sheets to support any payment claims.
- If payments are delayed beyond the promised timeline, contact union representatives or the relevant Ministry office with documentation.
- Schools should continue to prepare for upcoming assessments to avoid disruption to the exam calendar.
Implications for the examination calendar
Clearing arrears reduces the risk of strikes or boycotts related to invigilation and marking duties, which helps keep the national examination schedule on track. The government’s intervention appears aimed at restoring confidence and preventing disruptions ahead of the new academic and financial year.
Further resources for teachers and students
While awaiting payment updates, teachers and learners can access free exam resources and revision materials to support ongoing preparation. For example, use the free KSCE exam resources for secondary revision or the free KCPE exam materials for primary-level practice. Curriculum and planning materials for the CBC are also available in the CBC curriculum designs section to help teachers plan lessons and assessments.
What to watch next
Teachers and stakeholders should watch for official payment confirmations from the Treasury and the Ministry of Education. Confirmation that funds have been disbursed into individual accounts will be the clearest sign that the pledge has been fulfilled. Unions will likely continue to track implementation and report any shortfalls.
