Schools were victims of fake papers on social media - Uneb

The Uganda National Examinations Board (Uneb) yesterday told Parliament that several schools were victims of fake examination papers in the yet to be released Primary Leaving Examination results.

Mr Dan Odongo, the Uneb executive secretary, said although the level of examination malpractice decreased during last year’s examinations, social media, especially WhatsApp continued to be a threat to the assessment process as a number of candidates were subjected to fake papers by their respective schools.

“Social media is a big threat. A number of schools fell victim of fake papers which were supplied on social media. A number of students were taught at night but when they appeared for the papers in the morning, they found different questions.

The most affected were PLE candidates. Most of them wrote in their scripts after they were disappointed that the papers were different from what they expected,” Mr Odongo said.

He was appearing before the Education Committee of Parliament to give their performance for last year.
According to Mr Odongo, they are ready to release the examination results for 695,804 candidates who sat for PLE in November on Friday.

Ms Janet Museveni, the Education minister and First Lady, will be briefed today on how the candidates performed ahead of the release.
Last year, a section of parents from top Kampala schools accused Uneb of undermarking their children, allegations the board denied. Some schools later petitioned Uneb and their pupils’ scripts were remarked. However, Uneb later said the results were not any different from the initial score.

Mr Odongo asked the committee to pass the Uneb Bill so that those culpable in examination malpractice are punished heavily to deter others from aiding the vice.
The committee chairperson, Mr Jacob Opolot, said they will support Uneb’s proposals aimed at protecting the integrity of the exams.

Proposal

Uneb proposed a wireless transfer of data from marking centres to their server at Kyambogo to reduce risks during movement. Mr Odongo said the system is being piloted with 2019 Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education results.

“The board is trying out a number of innovations. One of them is the seamless transfer of data from marking centres to our servers. When we mark, we process data from marking centres and transfer it on flash discs to our servers in Kyambogo. We have installed the equipment at six centres and we will transfer the data wirelessly to the server to secure our data from the risks involved during movement from one place to another,” he said.

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