Maneb tells head teachers to release candidates IDs

Malawi National Examinations Board (Maneb) has asked secondary school head teachers to release identity (ID) cards for all candidates sitting for this year’s Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE) examination.

The call follows reports that some head teachers are refusing to release IDs for MSCE candidates with outstanding fees.

In a statement released on Monday and signed by Maneb executive director Gerald Chiunda, the examinations body said it has learnt that some head teachers are withholding IDs for some candidates expected to sit for examinations which start tomorrow.

Maneb reminded the head teachers that there is a distinction between examination fees and school fees.

“Maneb is aware of the importance of schools fees and does not encourage non-payment of schools fees, but is appealing to head teachers to release the IDs for the candidates that paid examination fees and allow them to sit for the examinations,” reads in part the statement.

Civil Society Education Coalition (Csec) executive director Benedicto Kondowe described the decision to hold candidates IDs as uncalled for. He said candidates that paid examinations fees have a legal right to sit for the examinations.

“We condemn this in strongest terms. Schools need to draw a line between school fees and Maneb examinations,” he said.

Kondowe advised the schools to stop using Maneb examinations to collect its money but  instead should institute proper measures.

“Government should come out strong on this because it has happened that some students have failed to sit for examinations just because they did not finish school fees,” he said.