Fake PLE papers land Buhweju teacher in hot soup

A teacher of Karembe Primary School in Buhweju district is accused of selling fake examination papers for Primary Seven candidates.

Asaph Abenawe was arrested by Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) officials and security officials.

He allegedly set out to sell the papers to unsuspecting candidates and parents through a WhatsApp group.

He reportedly confessed to making the sale and collecting a total of sh300,000 from different people.

The suspect allegedly operated the scheme through a restricted WhatsApp group, where he served as the administrator, removing from the group members who questioned his activities or failed to comply with his demands.

“I started trading these fake UNEB exams and I teach at Karembe Primary School,” said Abenawe.

“I have so far collected sh300,000 from people who were sending money so that I could give them the exams. I don't force people to pay for them.”

He was taken to Kampala for interrogation.

'Acting swiftly'

The development has prompted the administration of Karembe Primary School, a government-aided day school, to distance itself from the alleged examination malpractice.

Headteacher John Nuwahereza said he was unaware of the teacher's activities and condemned the sale of fake examination papers.

“Asaph has been my teacher for almost a year, and I was completely unaware of this business, which I do not support,” he said.

“It has come to my notice that he has been selling exams as if he is partnering with UNEB. We appreciate UNEB, under the leadership of Mr Dan Odongo, for acting swiftly to curb this virus.”

Nuwahereza said Abenawe was not a permanently deployed government teacher but a licensed teacher hired by the school to address a shortage of staff.

“We don't have enough teachers, which is why we hire licensed teachers like Asaph. This is a general problem in government schools."

The headteacher also cited poor infrastructure as another challenge facing the school, noting that some classrooms are not plastered and lack doors and windows.

Karembe Primary School has registered 46 candidates for this year's final examinations.

According to Nuwahereza, the school on average records two to three pupils in Division One while the rest fall in the lower divisions.

Stern warning

UNEB executive director Dan Odongo warned teachers and the public against engaging in examination malpractice, particularly through social media platforms where fraudsters claim to possess leaked examination papers.

He said the law provides for severe penalties for anyone found in possession of, or attempting to obtain, examination papers or materials without authorisation.

Section 25(1) of the UNEB Act provides for a fine of up to sh40 million or imprisonment for up to 10 years upon conviction for offences involving unauthorised possession or attempted acquisition of examination papers or materials.

UNEB has repeatedly cautioned candidates, parents and schools against people who claim to have authentic examination leakages, warning that such schemes may result in financial losses and compromise the integrity of national examinations.

The board has urged candidates to concentrate on their studies instead of relying on purported leaked examination papers circulated on social media.