Teachers arrested for exam cheating

Police in Mponela have arrested five teachers on suspicion that they facilitated cheating during the 2018 Primary School Leaving Certificate of Education examinations at Mafosha Primary School in Dowa.

Mponela Police Station officer Innocent Kasongo identified the five as Bazilio Watson,48, of Chatewa Village; Wilbesi Chithonje, 49, of Mafosha Village; Michael Jester, 29, of Mphunju Village and Daniel Nkhunga ,63, of Kachala Village, all from Traditional Authority (T/A) Chakhaza in the district as well as Stanley Kachidowo, 22, of Mafuta Village, T/A Kalolo in Lilongwe.

Malawi National Examinations Board (Maneb) senior security officer Aubrey Macheka said in an interview that between May 16 and 18 2018, Kachidowo allegedly approached the four examination officers, asking them to assist candidates at the examination centre with answers.

The suspect is alleged to have given the invigilators K5 000 each while the supervisors were given K10 000 each. The money was allegedly solicited from candidates.

Macheka said the suspects used to give candidates notes containing answers to questions.

Following the reports, police accompanied by Maneb officials arrested the suspects.

Four of the suspects have been charged with contravening Maneb regulations in relation to conduct of national examinations while Kachidowo has been charged with gaining access to examination materials without authority. n