Headteacher arrested for flouting exam rules

The headteacher of Mngwangwa Community Day Secondary School (CDSS) in Lilongwe, Mr Chilowa Phiri has been arrested for allegedly flouting rules governing the proper conduct of national examinations.

According to a statement issued by Malawi National Examinations Board (MANEB) on Friday, the suspect  Mr Chilowa Phiri who is Headteacher at  Mngwangwa Community Day Secondary School was arrested on Wednesday for contravening regulations guiding the proper conduct of national examinations.

“Phiri is alleged to have received money from a prospective candidate, Mr Alfred Gangata, and proceeded to register him as an internal candidate at his school instead of registering him as an external candidate. He is further alleged to have ordered Lowani to buy and wear the school’s uniform with intent to trick examination administrators,” reads the statement.

Phiri has contravened  MANEB (Amendment) Act, 2003, Section 7(a) which states that “Any person who, being involved in the enrolment and registration of candidates for national examinations, fails to comply with, or contravenes, any regulations in relation to the conduct of national examinations, shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine of K300,000 and imprisonment for ten years.””

Phiri was locked up at Kanengo Police while the registered candidate— who is writing underway Malawi School certificate of Education (MSCE) examination— will be a state witness when the matter is brought before the court.