ZOMBA-(MaraviPost)-The Malawi National Examination Board (MANEB) this week said, all is set to administer this year’s examination, starting with Primary Leaving School Certificate of Education (PLSCE)-Standard eight, slated for Wednesday, May 17 across the country.
Manebo has therefore introduced a WhatsApp account: +265884049215, which is intended and expecting to increase its engagement with the public on any exams concerns.
The number will also be used for whistleblowers on any malicious practice during the entire exams period, where all concerns will be addressed.
According to the board, the number is not a WhatsApp Group, but just a WhatsApp account that no one will be added. It will only get direct feedback from the public privately and freely.
MANEBO Spokesperson Simeon Maganga, said that the board has made great strides in preparing for the 2017 PLSCE.
Maganga expects less cheating this year, due to various intervention MANEB established ahead of the exams, including mass campaigns and introduction of the WhatsApp account number.
“Since the highest recorded percentage of cheating in 2002 at 8%, the board has made progress in fighting exam malpractices, and the numbers have since declined.
“Just this previous year on cheating in exams, the percentage was less than 0.01%, meaning that we’ve made significant progress in curbing exams fraud. We expect less further cheating this year, due to interventions put in place,” assures Maganga.
Out of 255,087 candidates who sat for the 2016 PSLCE exams, 197,222 qualified for the award of the PLSCE representing a 77.3 percent pass rate; and out of the 197,222 internal candidates who passed the examinations, 69,587 candidates were selected to various public secondary schools. This represents a 35.28 percent selection rate.
Meanwhile, MANEB starting this year, will no longer administer the Junior Certificate of Education (JCE) Examinations.
