Teacher faces consequences for unlawfully writing exams on behalf of students
Meet Bruce Mugaduwi, a 32-year-old teacher who recently made headlines for his audacious act of breaking the law by writing examinations on behalf of two students. The incident unfolded at Commercial College in Mutare, where Mugaduwi was employed.
Following a trial, Mugaduwi was found guilty on two counts of unlawfully writing Zimbabwe School Examination Council (ZIMSEC) exams for Shellington Brown and Mirriam Maposa, both students at Commercial College. The court established that the two candidates had made prior arrangements with Mugaduwi to complete their ZIMSEC Mathematics examination on their behalf.
On the fateful day of October 16 last year, Brown and Maposa sat for the exam as planned. After completing their papers, they submitted them to Mugaduwi, who surreptitiously replaced their authentic work with the exams he had written on their behalf. The substituted papers were then included in the batch intended for marking, while the students’ original submissions were destroyed.
When ZIMSEC released the exam results in January this year, both Shellington and Mirriam faced disappointment as their results were withheld. Subsequent investigations conducted by ZIMSEC led to Mugaduwi’s arrest on Friday, bringing the illicit scheme to light.
During the trial, it was revealed that Mugaduwi received US$380 from Shellington and US$300 from Mirriam in exchange for his services. The court, acknowledging the severity of the offense, imposed a fine of US$150 on the rogue teacher.
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding academic integrity and adhering to examination regulations. ZIMSEC and educational institutions across the country are committed to maintaining the credibility and fairness of the examination process. Any attempts to undermine this integrity will be met with legal consequences.
It is crucial for both educators and students to recognize the significance of maintaining ethical standards in education. Engaging in dishonest practices not only jeopardizes individual academic achievements but also undermines the education system’s integrity as a whole.
As Zimbabwe strives for a robust and reputable education system, it is essential for all stakeholders to work together to safeguard the integrity of examinations and promote a culture of honesty and fairness in education.
