The Uganda National Examination Board has this morning released the 2017 Uganda Certificate of Education –UCE exams, citing malpractice. Results of 4,525 candidates have been withheld over suspected malpractices, pending investigations.
While releasing the 2016 Uganda Certificate of Education UCE results at the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) in Kampala, UNEB chairperson Prof Mary Okwakol indicated that the results were withheld due to malpractice.
Last year, at the time of release, some results of 2,060 candidates were withheld over suspected examination malpractice. This time, however, the figures have doubled. UNEB has withheld results of 4,525 candidates pending investigation over malpractices.
The number reflects a significant increase compared to the previous years of 1,939 in 2104, 2060 in 2015 and 1,893 in 2016.
According to Prof Mary Okwakol; “A total of 81 are suspected to have been involved in examination malpractice. Of these, 49 have appeared in court and currently on court bail, 21 have jumped police bonds, and 11 are due to appear in court while their files are being reviewed by the Director of Public Persecution- DPP for sanctioning.”
Again, during the release during the release of Primary Leaving Examinations – PLE, malpractice in January this year, malpractice was cited as a major challenge facing the examinations body and 2,559 results were withheld of the practice.
“Exam malpractice is a serious threat to our security and credibility as a country,” Education Minister said.
“I take serious note to condemn exams malpractice. It’s unfortunate that the people who are supposed to be against this vice, they are the ones helping the pupils,” she added