State Minister of Education revealed that the malpractice began at Gemenze Nursery and Primary School and spread to St. Mary Primary School, a Faith-Based institution, and another school in Nzara County

By Emmanuel Mandella

Authorities in Juba have detained four teachers from Yambio County, Western Equatoria State over alleged unauthorized possession of Primary Leaving Examination (PLE) papers.

Grace Apollo Musa, the Western Equatoria State Minister for General Education and Instruction said the teachers were arrested in Yambio and handed over to national authorities to face legal action.

“These teachers are from private and faith-based schools. None of the implicated individuals are from government schools,” Ms. Apollo stated.

She revealed that the malpractice began at Gemenze Nursery and Primary School and spread to St. Mary Primary School, a Faith-Based institution, and another school in Nzara County.

“We don’t want such practices in our state. Those who are responsible will face the law, have their teaching certificates withdrawn, and be barred from future teaching opportunities.”

 “Teachers should be far from learners during exams. You have done your part in the classroom; let students prove their efforts. We will not tolerate any teacher found leaking exams to students,” Ms Apollo stressed.

In efforts to hold teachers accountable, Apollo announced stricter measures for future examinations, lamenting that candidates and teachers will be banned from carrying phones into classrooms during exams.

“Only calculators will be allowed for candidates. We must protect the integrity of our education system,” she added.

Earlier, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio, Edwardo Hiiboro during his address on the Catholic Education Day celebration in Nzara County, cautioned students and pupils in Catholic schools against cheating.

“If found engaging in malpractice, they will be expelled forever. Cheating creates corrupt leaders. We don’t support theft or corruption,” Hiiboro said.

The South Sudan Education Act stipulates severe penalties for those found guilty of exam malpractice, a teacher involved in aiding cheating shall lose his or her teaching license and face legal consequences. Meanwhile, a candidate shall be expelled, and the result of the exams shall be annulled.

The National Ministry of General Education and Instruction has also introduced measures to curb exam malpractices, including increased monitoring of examination centers, deployment of external invigilators, and random inspections.

“If found engaging in malpractice, they will be expelled forever. Cheating creates corrupt leaders. We don’t support theft or corruption,” said Edwardo Hiiboro, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio.