OKAPA, Eastern Highlands — A teacher at Ivingoi Secondary School in the Okapa District has been arrested for allegedly breaking into the school principal’s office and stealing Grade 12 national examination papers.
According to school principal Lamana Aiyu, the incident occurred early on Tuesday, October 14th, when the teacher, reportedly from the Southern Highlands Province, conspired with several accomplices to break into his office and remove exam papers for multiple subjects.
One of our teachers from Southern Highlands organized some boys and they broke into my office and removed exam papers for each subject. It’s regretful. I trusted my securities and my officers.
Mr. Aiyu
Following the break-in, Mr. Aiyu immediately contacted police, leading to the arrest of the teacher. Investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend others believed to be involved in the crime.
On Tuesday, I called the police and had the teacher arrested. I’m still working around the clock to get those who are involved also.
Aiyu
The incident prompted the Measurement Services Division (MSD) director, school inspectors, and police personnel to visit the school as part of the investigation.
I cried for my school and my reputation. “My reputation has been tarnished.
Aiyu said emotionally
Meanwhile, Education Secretary Dr. Uke Kombra confirmed that his office had received reports of the exam paper leak through social media platforms. He stated that the Department of Education is conducting a formal investigation to determine the extent of the breach and ensure the integrity of the national exams.
We believe there’s been a leak and we’ve been trying to establish the extent of that leak. Then we will be getting down to the bottom of it. I believe the local authorities are on top of this.
Dr. Kombra
The Eastern Highlands Provincial Education Division is working closely with police and national education authorities to prevent further compromise of exam materials and to protect the credibility of Papua New Guinea’s education system.