KNEC issues marking invitation letters to KCSE examiners; Sets tough conditions and bars others from reporting

KCSE marking 2021– The Kenya National Examinations Council (Knec) has issued marking invitation letters to examiners who will be marking the 2020 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations. The Council has at the same time spelled out tough marking conditions for those who shall be willing to participate in the marking exercise. 

Seasoned and new examiners can now download their marking invitation letters for the Knec portal; https://examinersapp.knec.ac.ke/. The examiners have up to the 8th of April to accept or reject the offer. This is after reading the new Marking instructions to all examiners.

“If you accept the conditions given in the Instructions for this year’s marking, click the accept offer button below (highlighted in green) latest by 8 April,2021. If you do not accept, click them reject offer button (highlighted in red) and give the reason.” Says Knec Chief Executive Officer, Dr Mercy. G. Karogo.

Due to the current Covid 19 pandemic, KNEC has advised the examiners to be wary of the killer disease and observe the Ministry of Health Guidelines to the latter. They will be expected to carry enough face masks, maintain social distance in all areas throughout the marking period and also wash their hands with soap and/or use sanitizers at all times.

BARRED EXAMINERS

The Council has at the same time barred examiners who are at a high risk of contracting the Corona Virus from reporting to this year’s marking exercise. Expectant mothers and those who are currently breastfeeding will not be allowed to report to the marking centres this year.

“Examiners who are breastfeeding are advised not to report for marking since KNEC does not make any arrangement for babies and their helpers. In addition, marking is strictly residential and therefore such examiners will not be allowed to commute from outside. Examiners are encouraged to defer marking until when their babies are old enough to be left behind at home…. Expectant examiners are equally advised to defer marking for their own safety due to heavy tasks involved until such a time when they can report after delivery and breastfeeding.” Directs Dr. Karogo.

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But, examiners aged 58 years and above have the option of either forfeiting the exercise or reporting.

“Those (examiners) who are 58 years and above and/or with underlying conditions are advised to take extra precautions during the marking period. Should you feel unsafe, you are free to decline the offer of marking.” She adds.

In the 2019 marking exercise examiners downed tools citing poor marking conditions and low pay. It took the intervention of the Council for the marking to proceed.

This year’s KCSE 2020 exam marking dates will be from 19.04.2021to 07.05.2021.

The KCSE exams will run from Friday March 26, 2021 to Wednesday April 21, 2021. See KCSE Timetable here.

A total of 1,088,986 will sit for the KCPE tests while the KCSE exams will be taken by 699,745 candidates.