Africa-Press – Tanzania. CHIEF Medical Officer Dr Aifello Sichalwe has annulled results and ordered fresh sitting of the theory examination of National Technical Awards (NTA) Level 5 clinical medicine countrywide due to leakage, as stern measures await all involved in the malpractice.
Speaking to reporters here on Thursday, Dr Sichwale said they were working closely with the security organs to trace the culprits. He said there is no way the government could tolerate examination cheating especially to clinical medicine candidates, as they deal directly with human health.
The Chief Medical Officer said the Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children has the mandate to oversee the policy issues that are strictly adhered to, including having qualified medical personnel to oversee the health sector thus professionalism, ethics and efficiency are of great importance to public health security.
He said it has come to the government attention that the second term clinical medicine theory examinations held nationally from August 16 to September 30th this year had leakage elements.
Following the hints, he said, they formed a special investigation committee that involved officials from the security organs to get the correct details over the matter. He said the committee submitted the report on October 17, 2021.
“The committee found out that there was a leakage in clinical medicine NTA level five examinations but other courses observed the examination rules,” he said.
The committee, according to Dr Sichwale, said the examination cheating was done through social media platforms of telegram and WhatsApp, where the examinations were being circulated, as they were traced to some of the students’ mobile phones.
Moreover, he said, when interrogated, the students admitted that they received the examinations through the telegram and WhatsApp discussion groups. However, he said, the committee is going on with investigations to identify the people, colleges or institutions involved in the examination cheating and report submitted to the National Council for Technical Education (NACTE) for further action.
Dr Sichwale said the NACTE Board ordered for the examinations to be held within six weeks starting November 1, 2021 that will be held concurrently with the supplementary examinations.
The Ministry of Health directed all health and applied science principles to inform the students of the scheduled examinations for timely preparations.
Dr Sichwale said the ministry has been dismayed by the exams cheating and leakage and has taken stern measures since such acts have profound impacts on public health.
“Having a health expert who attained the status through examination cheating is very dangerous to the public health, the government is keen and will apply all means possible to ensure the safety of its people,” he insisted.
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