N$570 daily pay fails to cover basic expenses, exam markers say

Critics say the daily rate of N$570 paid to national exam markers charged with grading NSSCAS and NSSCO exam papers falls far short of covering basic living expenses and work-related costs. In a telephone interview with Namibian Sun, a credible source, who works as a national exam grader and requested anonymity, decried the N$570 payout for exam markers, noting that the amount fails to meet rising living expenses, including transport, accommodation and food.“Many of these markers travel from places like Ohangwena, Oshana and the Omusati region,” the source said.“They have to cover transport costs to the marking venue, pay for food and accommodation, and still handle their personal expenses – all from N$570 a day.”The source added that teams assigned to mark the exams typically work long hours, from 07:00 to 21:00 on weekdays and weekends, with only brief lunch breaks. Despite this, their remuneration has reportedly remained unchanged for years.“This rate has been in place for quite a while now. With today’s cost of living, it is simply not enough. They should investigate this matter and see why these dedicated workers are being compensated so poorly.”This follows an article published in Namibian Sun&#039;s sister publication, Republikein, regarding the government&#039;s upcoming adjustment of travel allowances, set to take effect on 1 April.High cost of livingNamibian Sun spoke with multiple examination markers who, on condition of anonymity, said accommodation costs alone consume a significant portion of the allowance.“A decent room in Windhoek ranges between N$400 and N$500 per night. This means that after securing a place to sleep, we are left with little to cover transport and meals,” Namibian Sun was told. “Transport costs add to our overall expenses, with cab fares ranging from N$13 to N$26 per trip, depending on the distance to the marking venues. As a result, we spend over N$50 daily on transport alone,” the group added. The group underlined that food prices have also skyrocketed, which makes three daily meals within the given budget challenging."With rising costs, it becomes nearly impossible to sustain ourselves on the current allowance. We are here for official business, not to rely on family members for shelter or food. The government must acknowledge that these expenses are unavoidable."Essential workers Education minister Sanet Steenkamp, when asked to comment, said the ministry has been made aware of the concerns raised and the matter is being reviewed."This issue was brought to my attention last week by the director of the National Examination and Assessment Board, and we are actively working on it. We are addressing these concerns and will also provide clarity on the various internal and external factors that influence the situation. We value our staff and deeply respect the essential work they do," Steenkamp said this week.

N$570 daily pay fails to cover basic expenses, exam markers say

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Namibian Sun 2025-03-31

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N$570 daily pay fails to cover basic expenses, exam markers say

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Namibian Sun 2025-03-31

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