When there is evidence of cheating in a PNG school exam, the blame goes to the Department of Education and the Measurement Services Division. But the breach of security may take place on route to the hundreds of schools.
Consignments of envelops can be opened at the airport or on the way to the school. Envelops can be breached by teachers before or after being placed in the safe.
Perhaps a better approach would be to change the format of papers away from the objective questions that have plagued Education for years. Focus could be on solution of problems by short answer questions.
For each subject, the Department could produce a booklet containing up to 200 test questions to cover the year's work. The students perfect each question. No indication is given on the questions to appear in the exam. The questions could be practised in the internal exams.
Then in the week before each external exam, a notice comes out on radio, television or the newspapers that the exam will cover 8 test questions 17, 24, 32, 55, 76, 81, 87 and 92 with alternatives 2, 67 and 95. Such notices could be given for every subject.
A wise old thinker once said that out of every silly idea comes the key to a brilliant plan. Let us hope that this report gives a clue to such a plan.
Education is not only about passing the end of year exams. It is about the skills and knowledge that students take away with them into adult life.
Education is not only about passing the end of year exams. It is about the skills and knowledge that students take away with them into adult life.
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