Nairobi — Teachers want the remaining phases of their pay rise awarded at once.

They said yesterday the economy had improved and that they would not wait for six years to see the conclusion of the deal.

Kenya National Union of Teachers secretary general Francis Nga'ng'a said the economy had improved by more than 4.5 per cent and that teachers were not ready to wait for 2008, when the last phase is scheduled to be paid out.

He spoke at Nyeri's Temple Road Hall, where he was a guest during the Nyeri teachers annual general meeting. He was with chairman Joseph Chirchir and assistant secretary general David Okuta.

"We do not want to talk about it any more. In 2003, we wrote an agreement with the Government and it committed itself to pay the arrears in full once the economy improves. Recently, the Government announced a 4.5 per cent economic growth and we're are now demanding the immediate implementation of the salary," Mr Ng'ang'a said.

He added: "Let the Government pay the salary once and for all so that we forget about this issue and focus on improving education.

He accused Education assistant minister Kilemi Mweria of downplaying the issue by saying recently the Government had no funds to settle the deal at once.

Narc agreed in 2003 to reduce the implementation period of the 150 to 200 per cent pay rise from 10 to six years and committed itself to settling the arrears in full if the economy improved.

Mr Ng'ang'a asked the government to streamline the promotion and appointment criteria for senior education officials, saying the process was riddled with corruption and favouritism.

He said it was unfair to let teachers work for more than 10 years without a promotion.

The official demanded the transfer of a Nyanza district education officer, who he described as incompetent.

He urged the Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) to stop delaying allowances for teachers hired to invigilate and supervise tests.

Mr Chirchir told KNEC to address cheating in the national examinations.

At least eight branches from Central, Rift Valley and Eastern Provinces were represented at the meeting.

Management officials of various Nyeri teachers projects and co-op societies also represented.