About 120 Standard Eight learners have failed to sit for their Primary School Leaving Certificate of Education (PSLCE) examinations which started yesterday allegedly because some teachers misused their examination fees.

According to the police, 100 candidates are from three private primary schools in Mangochi District while 20 are from private primary schools in Dedza District.

Learners in the examination room

Mangochi Police spokesperson Amina Tepani-Daudi said police in the district have since arrested two suspects.

She said: “It is alleged that, one of the suspects collected a total of K250 000 from 30 candidates in December 2022, but later sold the school to another individual in January 2023 due to financial difficulties. Similarly, the second suspect collected K120 000 in examination fees from 22 candidates.”

Spotchecks in Blantyre District show that most schools started without much glitches.

Blantyre district education manager Anita Kaliu said her office has not received any report regarding examination challenges.

Minister of Education Madalitso Kambauwa Wirima, who inspected some examination centres in Dowa and Kasungu yesterday, also said the examinations have started on a good note in that there have been no malpractices and logistical challenges reported.

She said: “The planning was good. First days can bring challenges even with proper planning but I’m happy to say that the start is impressive at least going by what I have seen during our spot checks.” At least 276 052 candidates, 134 040 males and 132 012 female, are expected to sit for the examinations.

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