Malawi National Examinations Board (MANEB) Executive Director Gerald Chiunda has been suspended by the Board pending investigations on the alleged leakage of this year’s Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE) examinations.

According to a letter made available to Face of Malawi, signed vice chairperson for MANEB’s Board Edith Mmela, Chiunda has been suspended with immediate effect.

“On behalf of the Board, I am writing to inform you that the Board has resolved to suspend you from duty in your capacity as Executive Director with immediate effect in order to allow the Board to conduct through investigations into the matter,” said Mmela.

The statement further added that after investigations, the Board shall give Chiunda an opportunity to be heard on the matter regarding his role.

The statement further alleges that through the preliminary investigation report found out that there was evidence of gross negligence “in the efficient and effective management ad conduct of MSCE examinations.”

“The Board also found serious violations and probable commission of offences contrary to Malawi National Examination Act (Cap 30: 04),” said Mmela.

The development follows a directive from the State President Lazarus Chakwera who ordered the dismissal of MANEB’s top management and that all the perpetrators should be brought to book.

So far no arrests have been made despite that the ultimatum President Chakwera gave the Minister of education Agnes Nyalonje elapses today.

MSCE students are expected to re-write this year’s examinations not later than January 2021 as ordered by the president who quashed the idea of re-administering the examinations in March 2021.

Meanwhile, MSCE candidates are calling on MANEB to release dates of commencement of the examinations.