By Emmanuel Chilemba:
Malawi National Examinations Board (Maneb) has said it is ready to administer Primary School Leaving Certificate of Education (PSLCE) examinations, which start today.
A total of 262,216 candidates are set to sit this year’s examinations, marking a decrease from 267,330 candidates that sat the examinations last year.
Maneb spokesperson Angella Kashitigu said everything was in order.
“Preparations to administer the examinations are at an advanced stage,” she said.
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Meanwhile, about 17 candidates at Chawe Primary School in Chiradzulu District who risked not sitting the examinations after their examination fees were allegedly embezzled by their teacher can now heave a sigh of relief after the Ministry of Education came to their rescue.
Secretary for Education Mangani Katundu told The Daily Times that the students would be allowed to sit the examinations.
However, Katundu stressed the need for parents and guardians to be proactive in using designated payment modes of examinations to avoid such cases.
“So, next year, as we move forward, please desist from the recklessness of doing things by paying examination fees yourselves. Follow procedures as well as advice from Maneb so that we should not find ourselves having such kind of problems,” Katundu said.
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Last year, similar incidents occurred during the corresponding period as about 120 candidates were left destitute after their examination fees got embezzled in Mangochi, Dedza and other districts.
Meanwhile, quality education advocate Benedicto Kondowe has emphasised the need to prosecute teachers that misuse candidates’ examination fees.
“Police must conduct investigations and prosecute teachers responsible for such acts to prevent future occurrences. This crisis highlights the urgent necessity for systemic reforms to protect students’ rights and educational opportunities,” Kondowe said.
