By Dalcy Lulua
Education Secretary Dr Uke Kombra has moved to clarify widespread reports on social media alleging the leak of Grade 12 examination papers, warning parents and students not to fall victim to individuals attempting to sell fake or stolen exam materials.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Dr Kombra confirmed that images of examination paper mainly cover pages have been circulating online, with attempts made to sell them through social media platforms such as Facebook and WhatsApp.
“We strongly urge all parents and students not to purchase any exam paper or material being illegally sold or circulated,” Dr Kombra said. “Those involved in such activities are criminals who are trying to exploit innocent students for quick money.”
He revealed that authorities are investigating a suspected exam paper leak at a school in Okapa, Eastern Highlands Province, but said the extent of the incident is still being verified.
“We are aware of reports on social media suggesting a
leak in one school. Local authorities are on top of this, and investigations are ongoing to determine what exactly happened,” he said.
Dr Kombra reminded the public that the Department of Education has previously prosecuted individuals involved in examination leaks, with some offenders already serving prison sentences.
He also warned that advances in digital technology and artificial intelligence have made it easier for people to forge or manipulate documents, calling for extra caution among parents and students.
“Any paper can be forged fraudulently. You may be told to send money in exchange for answers, but these are scams,” he cautioned. “If you buy into these activities, the chances of your child succeeding are almost nil.”
The Education Secretary assured the public that strong security measures are in place this year to safeguard the integrity of the national examinations.
“We have systems in place to detect and prevent cheating,” Dr Kombra said. “While I cannot disclose specific security details, I can assure you that every effort has been made to secure the exam process.”
He concluded by stressing that the department’s priority
is to uphold the credibility of the education system and protect the hard work of students across the country.
“Examinations are the culmination of years of learning.
We must protect their integrity so that every student’s achievement is truly earned,” Dr Kombra said.