Std 8 exams start on a good note in Ntchisi

The Primary School Leaving Certificate of Education (PSLCE) examinations in Ntchisi District have started on a good note, although there were few challenges in some centres.

The Malawi National Examinations Board (Maneb) is administering the examinations throughout the country starting from May 16 to May 18 this week.

Ntchisi district education manager (DEM)Votie Mboweni said a total of 5 169 candidates are sitting for the examinations in 66 cluster and lone centres in the district.

He said two learners at Mthawira Primary School were given wrong identity cards and the issue has since been reported to Maneb.

At Mpherere Primary School, a learner was sent back because he was selected to Madanjala Community Day Secondary School last year.

According to the DEM, some learners were stung by bees on their way to Kanjoka 1 Cluster Centre. However, he said the learners sat the examinations.

Mboweni said there were some administrative challenges that his office is encountering.

“Fuel is not enough to distribute, collect and monitor the examinations and attend to emergencies,” he said.

Last year, Maneb arrested three teachers for alleged various malpractices which included illegal rregistration of 20 candidates. According to Maneb, the yeat 2002 was the worst in terms of examinations cheating which was eight percent.n