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| Police Spokesperson |
The
Gambia Police Force is forced into a prolonged investigation into the national
examination scandal that costs the taxpayers an extra four hundred thousands
dalasi.
The
West African examination Council (WAEC) on last Wednesday canceled a compulsory
science paper after it discovered suspected examination malpractices at
NioroJattaba Basic Cycle School in Kiang West.
Unidentified
persons vandalised two offices at that school, before breaking into the Vice Principal’s office,
where the examination papers were kept and stole two copies of general science
theory paper due to be presented the following day.
“The
police were not there and we have not seen anybody who said I saw these people”
the police spokesperson told The Daily News.
“So we just don’t want to jump and charge somebody without clear information.”
Assistant
Superintendent YerrowMballow said one cannot estimate the duration of the
investigation because it will last “as long as the truth pertaining to the
matter is not found.”
Meanwhile,
Sutay Bah, the watchman who was arrested on Wednesday has been released on
Saturday together with three grade eleven students - Ebrima Bah, Bokara Colley
and Malick Sowe.
Some
teachers are also being investigated, according to the sources at the school.
Spokesperson
Mballow however failed to confirm whether the detainees were held beyond the 72
hour constitutional limit.
Alh
Baboucarr A. Mbaye, Head of Test Administration Department at WAEC described
the examination scandal in question as the first of its kind in the country.
The
West African Examination body is now busy preparing a substitute to the
cancelled Science paper ahead of its scheduled examination date on Friday 18th
May 2012.
According
to Mr Mbye the Ministry Of Basic and Secondary Education has paid the cost of
printing, packaging and the distribution of the new science paper at a tune of
D444, 096.95.
