Examiners’ pay will not be taxed, exam body assures

By CHARLES NGENO

The Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) has reached a consensus with the Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) that examiners’ pay will not be taxed.

Knut National Chairman Wilson Sossion said KNEC has also accepted to increase the pay per script by Sh2.

Sossion criticised Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) of issuing threats at this crucial time when candidates expect their scripts to be marked.

Speaking to The Standard On Saturday the telephone, Sossion revealed that only allowances exceeding Sh133,000 will be taxed.  “We have agreed with KNEC that they negotiate with the Kenya Revenue Authority so that examiners and invigilators are exempted from taxation. We agreed also that the rate be revised upwards,” said Sossion.

He added that the union and the council are addressing other issues raised by examiners.

While calling on examiners to proceed to marking centres, Sossion said it is unethical for any union to threaten to boycott marking when all other avenues of finding a common ground have not been exhausted.

“It is unfortunate that after realising that they are almost becoming irrelevant, Kuppet have now issued threats which will affect learners and parents who have invested a lot of their time and money. This should have been done as early as June so that the relevant body address it in good time,” said the chairman.

On registration of candidates, Sossion said the union and the council have agreed registration of Form Three students and standard seven pupils be carried out in November and not March as suggested earlier.

“This will give the candidates time to choose the right subjects and those who want to transfer to other stations will not be locked out in registration process,” Sossion added.