The Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture (MoEAC) has strengthened safety and security measures after the unprecedented leakage of question papers in some subjects in 2021.

A total 32 examination papers involving 10 Grade 11 and 12 subjects were reportedly leaked which led to a disruption of the national examination of the affected subjects that were re-written earlier this year.

Education Minister Anna Nghipondoka stressed that trainings have been provided at all levels to sensitise all the role players and officials on possible pitfalls and areas of concern with the strategic methods of preventing any dishonesty/leakage/malpractice or administrative irregularities.

Nghipondoka made these remarks during the announcement of the 2022 provisional results of NSSC Ordinary and Advanced Subsidiary levels full-time and part-time candidates at Eenhana on Friday.

“Although we admit that there are many levels and too many role players involved in the examination administration, as a ministry, we can assure the public at large, that all safety and security measures are in place, which are comparable to other countries worldwide.”

The minister further expressed concern with some individuals and/or centres that are still trying “to test the system” by not upholding and complying with the rules of national examinations, considering the number of malpractice cases that are reported.

“It is very disappointing to know that some individuals do not take pride in Namibian national qualifications and continue testing the system. Dishonesty and cheating during national examination sessions will not be tolerated as it might result into nullification/loss of marks and even from banning of candidates from writing national examinations in the future,” she said.

Nghipondoka therefore urged all involved to guard against dishonesty and fraudulent activities and stay clear of controversies, adding that whether Namibians or non-Namibians, everyone must comply with the rules of national examinations to protect the integrity of the national qualifications.

She stressed that she, as the authority entrusted with the approval for registration of private schools and part-time centres, would not hesitate to de-register any centre that does not comply to set examination related rules and regulations and intentionally jeopardise the credibility of the national examinations.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency