St Boniface probed for exam fraud
Kenya Kambowe
RUNDU
Days after celebrating once again topping the charts in the recently-announced grade 11 and 12 results, St Boniface yesterday found itself having to answer to claims of fraud during last year’s examinations.
The allegations pertain to the 2020 grade 11 national examinations where it is alleged that the school acted fraudulently as far as the history ordinary level examination is concerned.
St Boniface has enjoyed the status of being ranked as the best private school in the country for years, with its learners dominating the rankings year in, year out.
Namibian Sun is in possession of a letter issued by the Kavango East education directorate to the school’s principal Mary Phillis Yesudasan, requesting her to inform teachers and learners implicated to attend interviews as part of the investigation.
The Directorate of National Examinations and Assessment (DNEA), according to the letter dated 4 February, conducted the interviews yesterday. At this stage, the number of learners and teachers implicated is not known.
“DNEA will conduct interview proceedings on suspected cases of dishonesty in grade 11 examinations for history ordinary level involving candidates at your centre,” the letter read.
“The interviews will take place on 8 February at the regional office.
“We cordially request you to inform and invite teachers in the subject mentioned above together with the implicated candidates on the annexed list to attend this interview.”
“Candidates should also be informed to bring along all materials they used in preparation for the examination in question,” it further read.
Not the first time
Education ministry executive director Sanet Steenkamp yesterday confirmed the probe and said the ministry will revert with a response on the issue.
“We will soon provide a response. These are routine interviews at all centres where a case of malpractice is reported to establish the facts for further decision-making,” she briefly responded.
Despite the school’s good performance, there have been reports that the learners at St Boniface allegedly enter examination halls after having studied leaked question papers.
In 2015, The Namibian reported that the school was accused of paying officials in the education ministry to access question papers before the actual examination.
At the time, Yesudasan rubbished the claims.
- [email protected]
RUNDU
Days after celebrating once again topping the charts in the recently-announced grade 11 and 12 results, St Boniface yesterday found itself having to answer to claims of fraud during last year’s examinations.
The allegations pertain to the 2020 grade 11 national examinations where it is alleged that the school acted fraudulently as far as the history ordinary level examination is concerned.
St Boniface has enjoyed the status of being ranked as the best private school in the country for years, with its learners dominating the rankings year in, year out.
Namibian Sun is in possession of a letter issued by the Kavango East education directorate to the school’s principal Mary Phillis Yesudasan, requesting her to inform teachers and learners implicated to attend interviews as part of the investigation.
The Directorate of National Examinations and Assessment (DNEA), according to the letter dated 4 February, conducted the interviews yesterday. At this stage, the number of learners and teachers implicated is not known.
“DNEA will conduct interview proceedings on suspected cases of dishonesty in grade 11 examinations for history ordinary level involving candidates at your centre,” the letter read.
“The interviews will take place on 8 February at the regional office.
“We cordially request you to inform and invite teachers in the subject mentioned above together with the implicated candidates on the annexed list to attend this interview.”
“Candidates should also be informed to bring along all materials they used in preparation for the examination in question,” it further read.
Not the first time
Education ministry executive director Sanet Steenkamp yesterday confirmed the probe and said the ministry will revert with a response on the issue.
“We will soon provide a response. These are routine interviews at all centres where a case of malpractice is reported to establish the facts for further decision-making,” she briefly responded.
Despite the school’s good performance, there have been reports that the learners at St Boniface allegedly enter examination halls after having studied leaked question papers.
In 2015, The Namibian reported that the school was accused of paying officials in the education ministry to access question papers before the actual examination.
At the time, Yesudasan rubbished the claims.
- [email protected]
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