Kamuli – Police in Kamuli are investigating alleged malpractice in the ongoing Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) examinations at Verona College, Kamuli.
According to Micheal Kasadha, the Busoga North police spokesperson, those under investigation are examination invigilators, the school headteacher, laboratory technician and 34 students.
It’s alleged that on Tuesday at around 12:00 pm, while waiting for their turn to do examinations, the 34 students were found discussing suspected examination materials.
“Preliminary investigations suggest that 64 candidates were to sit for the chemistry practical examinations at the center. However, given the limited space, candidates were divided into two groups of which one was in the examination room and another of 34 candidates in the waiting room.” Says Kasadha
He notes it’s during monitoring that the Uganda National Examination Board (UNEB) scout found the ones in the waiting room sharing suspected examination materials.
“It is suspected that there was no thorough check up of students prior to entering the examination room.” Says Kasadha
He notes that exhibits of evidential value were recovered and statements of the suspects recorded as further inquiries are ongoing.
Senior four candidates across the country started writing their UCE exams on Monday this week.
Addressing press last week, Dan Odongo, the UNEB Executive Director strongly warned against examination malpractice.
He revealed that as one of the measures to fight the practice, the board will reward anyone who discloses misconduct or provides precise information that will be helpful in preventing the vice or catching the offenders.
Also, government recently amended the UNEB act to introduce strong penalties against offenders of exam malpractice.
For example, Section 25(1) provides that any person who gains or attempts to gain possession of any examination paper, or any part of an examination paper, commits an offence and is liable, on conviction, to a fine of 40 million shillings or a jail term of 10 years or both.
In Section 25 (2), the act also sets similar penalties for a person who intentionally or negligently aids malpractice. The law also slaps a punishment of paying 20 million or 5 years in prison to teachers, invigilators and scouts found assisting candidates. Even those on whose watch malpractice is done can be charged under the same section.
