Malawi: Map Reading Section Missing In All National Exam Papers

By Joseph Dumbula.

Questionable details have emerged following the missing of a compulsory Map Reading section of a Geography paper for the Malawi School Certificate of Education, an exam which marks the completion of the Southern Africa country’s secondary school level.

This follows a rude awakening during Geography Paper One which lacked a map reference for a question that carried 35 marks.

The exams are being administered to over 184,000 students nationwide.

Meanwhile, the Malawi National Examination Board has admitted of the challenge.

The board through Executive Director Professor Dorothy Nampota has said the issues will be handled administratively.

She acknowledged the challenges and disclosed that a probe has already been launched to establish what led to the situation.

“The matter [of missing of map] was dealt with administratively immediately it was reported and the examination concluded well across the country. Similar administrative action will be taken during marking and subsequent processes following guidelines for handling such instances which were duly approved by the Maneb board of directors,’’ she said.

Meanwhile, people in various social media forums are questioning the extent to which the board undertake issues of quality assurance.

Civil Society Education Coalition Executive director Benedicto Kondowe has at the moment, the hiccup brings to question levels of preparation for such crucial academic yardstick.

In 2020, Government canceled the Malawi School Certificate of Education after papers went viral on social media.