Maravi

(LUSAKATIMES) Police arrest Catholic priests over exam leakages

Police arrest Catholic priests over exam leakages
November 17, 2008

Three teachers at St Charles Lwanga Secondary School in Mansa have been arrested in connection with grade 12 examination paper leakages in Luapula province. The named teachers who are also Catholic Priests were arrested over the weekend.

The teachers and some four pupils who were picked for being in possession of original copies of pre-written grade 12 examination papers would appear in court on 5th December after they pleaded not guilty at Mansa Magistrates court today.

They have been charged for an offence of unauthorized possession of examination papers or information contrary to Section 19 Sub-section 1 Chapter 137 of the laws of Zambia.

Over the past two weeks over 40 grade twelve pupils from different secondary schools in Luapula province have been arrested for being in possession of pre-written 2008 examination papers.

The pupils were arrested at St Charles Lwanga, St Clements, Kabunda Girls, Mansa High and Mansa Skills Secondary Schools while others were caught in Mwense and Kawambwa Districts.

The pupils were in possession of originals and photocopies of Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Religious Education, Biology, Literature in English and Geography papers.

Meanwhile, all the arrested pupils have been banished from writing the examination for two years in accordance with the Guidelines for the Administration and Management of Examinations in Zambia.

Provincial Education Officer Florence Kanchebele said if found guilty the teachers would be dismissed from the teaching service indefinitely.

And Police in Mpika have arrested three Grade 12 pupils of Chitulika High School for alleged examination malpractices.

Northern Province police commanding officer Charles Lungu confirmed the arrests of the pupils to ZANIS in Kasama today.

Mr. Lungu said the three pupils, who are all males, were picked up last Friday, after they were caught with a leaked Chemistry examination paper.

He said police were still investigating the matter in order to establish the source of the leakage.

Mr. Lungu further said the pupils would appear in court soon for being in possession of foreign materials in an examination room.

Recently, five pupils from Kasama Boys’ High School were picked by police for possessing leaked examination materials.

The pupils were found with multiple choice answers during a Geography paper two (2) examination, which does not have multiple choice questions.

Provincial Education Officer Selisho Chanda, who had confirmed the incident, also said disciplinary action was taken against the investigators of the same examination.

Meanwhile, concerned Kasama residents have appealed to Ministry of Education to dismiss teachers who are involved in examination malpractices because they were compromising the standard of education in the country.

ZANIS/CB/AM/ENDS

Categories: Other News

Labels: CATHOLIC CHURCH, EXAMS

posted by MrK @ 8:05 PM