Cloud of uncertainty hovers over Maneb, markers misunderstanding

Although the Ministry of Education has come in to resolve the misunderstandings between teachers marking the 2024 Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE) examinations and the Malawi National Examinations Board (Maneb) uncertainty reigns over the matter.

The misunderstanding between the two parties led to the immediate closure of St. Mary’s Secondary School Marking Centre.

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A notice from Maneb had instructed the markers to vacate the marking centre by 10:00 am on Friday, due to unresolved logistical concerns.

But in an interview, Public Relations Officer for the Ministry of Education, Mphatso Nkuonera, confirmed that the situation has been addressed.

“The logistical issue that was registered between the board and the teachers or markers of MSCE examinations has finally been resolved. The Minister has given a directive that all concerns should be immediately resolved by taking on board their concerns,” Nkuonera said.

He further assured the public that the marking of exams would proceed without any further interruptions.

“The Minister has given a directive that all the concerns that were there should be immediately resolved by taking on board their concerns, meaning to say all issues that were raised have been understood and the resolution is that there should not be any teacher leaving any marking centre and that marking should continue as earlier agreed,” he added.

However in an interview with Nthanda Times, Maneb Public Relations Officer Angella Kashitigu said the Board cannot comment on the matter.

“Since the communication is from the Ministry of Education, as Maneb we cannot comment on that,” she said.

This follows a two-day boycott by the teachers, aimed at pressuring the Board to address their grievances.

Among their demands, the teachers are requesting that Maneb raise the marking fee, currently set between MK110 and MK115 per exam paper, reimburse their transportation expenses to the marking centres, and improve the quality of the food and accommodation it provides.