Exam papers ‘stolen’, student questioned

A19-year-old student is being questioned for allegedly stealing Fiji School Leaving Certificate examination papers.

They were being kept at Lelean Memorial School in Nausori.

Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro said the student was from the same school and the discovery was made by the exam supervisor on Tuesday morning.

She said the Police were continuing their investigations in the matter.

On Tuesday, Ms Naisoro said the Nausori Police Station received the report regarding the alleged tampering of Year 12 external examination papers.

“The exam supervisor made the discovery and found sealed portions of the exam papers were already open.”

The Fijian Teachers Association president Netani Druavesi said it was usual each year to hear about tampering or leaking of exam papers. However they had not expected it to happen again.

“We just cannot trust anybody. Some people or teachers who want their names to be up there and want 100 per cent pass rate could be doing it.

“Those given the trust to take a good care of the papers are not doing it. You cannot trust anybody. So who is to be blamed now?

“It goes back to the individual teachers. It is all about good preparation. Prepare the students well and they will surely pass,” Mr Druavesi said.

Fiji Teachers Union general secretary Agni Deo Singh said there was a basic ethical standard that all teachers must adhere to. “There should be a thorough investigation done in the allegations and appropriate actions must be taken.

“As far as the Union is concerned, there could be an isolated case somewhere, but we know that 99.99 per cent of the teachers are very professional and ethical in their work. If this has happened, it is very unfortunate.