MSCE goes sour : Teacher fined for cheating during exams

The Balaka magistrate court has fined Zamadula Macheka, a teacher at Dziwe FP School who was writing Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE) examinations to upgrade his qualifications, for cheating during the exams.

According to a statement released by Malawi National Examinations Board (MANEB), A MANEB spot-check mission found Madula in possession of unauthorised reference material in form of a handkerchief on which he had scribbled English Literature notes.

“This was contrary to MANEB (Amended) Act Section 14 (4b) which says any candidate who possesses or uses, in an examination room where National Examinations are being conducted, any reference material, or any other unauthorised equipment or instrument, shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine of K50, 000 and imprisonment for two years,” reads part of the statement.

When brought before the court, Madula pleaded guilty to the charge and the court convicted him of the offence.

He was sentenced to pay a K50, 000 fine or in default serve a two-year jail term.

In a related development, the court in Balaka has convicted and fined Joseph Makiyi and Charles Kumwenda for being found guilty of writing examinations on behalf of each other.

According to a statement released by MANEB, Makiyi who works for Prison fellowship in Balaka hired Charles Kumwenda to write exams on his behalf.

“Following a tip-off from well-wishers, a MANEB officer visited Balaka Islamic Cluster Centre and found Kumwenda writing examinations on behalf of Makiyi,” Reads the statement.

Police arrested both Kumwenda and Makiyi on impersonation charges in line with MANEB (Conduct of Examinations) Regulations, 2008, Section 29(18) as read with MANEB (Amended) Act, 2003, Section 8.

The court convicted Makiyi and Kumwenda on their own plea of guilt.

Makiyi was sentenced to six years imprisonment with hard labour (IHL) or to pay K80, 000 in default; while Kumwenda was fined K70, 000 or be imprisoned for four years in default.

The two paid the fines.

Earlier on MSCE papers were seen on the market  and some other candidates have been arrested in miscellaneous instances of cheating.