NECTA warns cheats as Std Seven exams start

DAR ES SALAAM: STANDARD Seven pupils across the country will from today sit for their national exams, with the National Examinations Council of Tanzania (NECTA) issuing a stern warning against cheating.

The Primary School Leaving Examinations (PSLE) will see a total of 1,172,279 candidates sit for the papers, which conclude tomorrow.

Out of the total, at least 535,138 boys, equivalent to 45.65 per cent and 637,141 girls, equivalent to 54.35 per cent, are taking part, including 4,679 candidates with special needs.

According to NECTA’s Executive Secretary, Professor Said Ally Mohammed, out of the 1,172,279 candidates registered this year, 1,094,321, equivalent to 93.35 per cent, will sit for the exams in Kiswahili, while 77,958, equivalent to 6.65 per cent, will do so in English, which has been their medium of instruction.

However, this year’s number of candidates has dropped by 4.99 per cent compared to last year, when 1,230,780 pupils sat for the exams.

NECTA warned candidates, examination committees, invigilators, school owners, school principals and the community against engaging in any form of planning or implementing fraudulent schemes, stressing that stern measures would be taken against culprits.

Briefing journalists in Dar es Salaam on Tuesday, Prof Mohammed said the council would not hesitate to take action against anyone involved in cheating or swindling in schools.

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On the candidates’ side, he said the council believes teachers have prepared them well throughout seven years of primary education. Therefore, it expects students to sit the exams under the laid down rules.

“The council does not expect to see any student involved in fraudulent practices. If any student is identified committing fraud, his or her results will be cancelled in line with examination regulations,” he insisted.

Prof Mohammed also stressed that school owners and principals must not interfere with the duties of invigilators throughout the exam period, warning that the council will not hesitate to cancel any examination centre that compromises the integrity of the national exams.

“The exams are conducted in 19,441 schools nationwide. Committees should ensure that the environment of examination centres is safe, stable and prevents loopholes that could lead to fraud. They must also guarantee the security of selected centres in line with council guidelines,” Prof Mohammed said.

He added: “Invigilators should also observe the rights of pupils with special needs, including a 20-minute extension for mathematics and a 10-minute extension for other subjects, as directed by the council.”

Among the 4,679 candidates with special needs are 92 blind pupils, 1,551 with low vision, 1,079 with hearing impairment, 448 with intellectual impairment and 1,509 with physical impairment.

The council chief said pupils will be assessed in six core subjects: Kiswahili, English Language, Science and Technology, Mathematics, Social Studies and Vocational Skills and Civic and Moral Education.

NECTA further called on all stakeholders to report to the relevant authorities whenever they detect individuals or groups engaging in exam fraud.