Leaked UNEB exams reveal a leakage in society's moral fibre

By Denis Birungi

When images of senior four UNEB exams were trending on social media, it was hard to believe until the leaks were confirmed by UNEB officials in the main stream media.

Exam malpractice and the corresponding breakdown of the integrity of our academic systems are largely, I think, the symptom of a moral crisis that has affected the whole of our society. It is common knowledge that starting from primary school, pupils are helped to pass their Primary Leaving Exams (PLE). A couple of secondary schools in the country are also known for the same vice. At some Universities, it is not abnormal for students to obtain degrees not through hard work but through cheating and shortcuts. The costs of this leak in our society's integrity may not be easy to realise, but it is enormous.

A country is as strong as the character and competence of its people. While competence is acquired through high quality training by academic institutions, character is built day by day, from childhood and throughout one's life by continuous training and role modelling to the young. All of society has a responsibility to be models by upholding certain basic values upon which society depends. Sadly, academic institutions often concentrate more on competence and less on character.

Character is also misunderstood sometimes as having wealth or fame.  These can come from the pillars of character which include hard work, honesty, integrity, faithfulness and respect for rules.

A society that deviates from this moral thread breaks its foundation of orderly progress and limits the growth of its people. Whether public or private sector, societal progress is only possible when there is an element of trust and integrity both in institutions and individuals. For example, contracts are entered on the premise that the other party will honour their obligations and investors will invest if they are assured of transparent and functional institutions such as courts to enforce their rights. They can only be dependable and credible if there are persons of integrity behind the desk. Sadly, our institutions cannot produce cheats and then we expect a society of men and women of integrity.

The loss of integrity and moral compass for the young generation will mean a path worse than that of their predecessors. It's not hard to see that someone who thinks it is okay to cheat at school will also think it's okay to cheat in their job or profession.

A doctor who steals his or her way through medical school poses a danger to many. Similarly a driver who, because of bribery obtains a licence without training (as is the norm in Uganda) poses a danger to other road users. It is no wonder that citizens of neighbouring countries such as Kenya find it easier to be employed in some sectors of our economy than our own citizens.

Reversing this trend will not be an easy task. Institutions will not be enough; we already have enough of them including some of the best laws but the problem grows bigger and bigger. What is required are comprehensive, bold, robust and swift measures by leaders who lead by moral strength. Leaders whose decisions and actions are guided by, in the words of former US president Barack Obama, "the question to ask is whether it is right and not whether it is profitable" and by "profitable", he meant more than material gain but also political and social profit.

Writer is a lawyer