By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
KAMPALA
Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) is investigating cases of examination malpractice involving social media users fraudulently leaking fake Primary Leaving Examination (PLE) papers to steal from unsuspecting parents and schools.
Dan Odongo Nokrach, the board Executive Director said on Tuesday (November 7) that they have intelligence information that some social media users created a WhatsApp group named Board of Directors which they later changed to Board of Governors on which they were circulating materials alleged to be UNEB question papers for PLE 2023 and collecting money from the public.
He warned against involvement in examination malpractice stating that culprits will be dealt with in accordance with the UNEB Act, 2021.
“The public is warned that there are persons who have set up social medias platforms and have been collecting money to purportedly access and supply PLE question papers,” he said
Sections 25(1)(2) and (4) of the UNEB Act, 2021 provides for a maximum sentence of ten (10) years upon conviction to anyone found guilty of involvement in any form of examination malpractice.
According to Odongo, the police has already arrested three suspects and many others are on run.
PLE exams across the country are kick starting this morning and 749,347 candidates are expected to write their first paper today. Of these, 391,558 (app.52%) are female candidates while 357,789 (48%) are male candidates. These will sit for exams from 14,442 examination centres across the country.
UNEB further warned invigilators, local government leaders and security agencies against abetting internal or external malpractice. The board commended members of the public for reporting suspected cases of malpractice in their areas and urged to remain vigilant.
