PRIMA

UNEB has revealed that six teachers of Nampita Secondary School in Yumbe, including one invigilator have been arrested over exam malpractice after allegedly entering the hall for the ongoing Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) exams with electronic devices.

The board’s spokesperson, Jennifer Kalule, said that the smartphone for one of the teachers, Obbo Julius, allegedly contained answers to the biology practical examination.

Speaking at the joint police press briefing at Police headquarters today, UNEB principal PRO, Jennifer Kalule said that the board has registered a case of examination malpractice during the first week of Uganda certificate of education exams at Nampita Secondary School in Yumbe.

It should be noted that unauthorized possession of any purporting to be a UNEB examination is considered an offence under the UNEB Act 2021, Section 25 (1). This includes having such materials on a mobile/smartphone, laptop or other electronic device. A fine of up to UGX 20 million or up to five years in jail are possible penalties for persons found guilty of this offence. Kalule mentioned that Obbo Julius, one of the teachers, was with a smartphone that allegedly contained answers to the biology practical examination.

The UNEB spokesperson said the eight have been detained, awaiting to be taken to court.

She went on to caution candidates, teachers, invigilators, scouts and the public to desist from being involved in any form of examination malpractice or else they risk jail.

Kalule mentioned the successful delivery of a baby girl by one of the candidates, who has resumed exams.

She also said that despite the cases of malpractice and minor inconveniences recorded so far, they have had a great start to the second week of the UCE examination today.

On a sad note, Kalule noted that two Special Needs Education (SNE) Candidates, who were both sickle cell sicklers from different schools, died in the course of last week’s examinations.

Meanwhile, students have been urged not to be hoodwinked by people claiming to be having answers for the examinations on the same note students and teachers were also advised to report any form of examination malpractice.