By Dean Chisambo

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament has challenged the Malawi Examination Board (MANEB) to be independent to start  printing examinations in this country  and not relying on printing examination papers outside the country which is very expensive.

PAC chairperson Mark Botoman made this sentiment on Wednesday after MANEB officials appeared to the committee at Parliament building in Lilongwe.

Botoman said although they observed that MANEB are facing various challenges such as lack of printing machine, security and money there is a need to move forward towards acquiring their own equipment in order to print the examination in their own soil.

He said :” when we asked the controlling officer if we are moving towards acquiring our own equipment inorder  to start printing examination in our own, she said yes there are initiatives that are put in place but it’s not going to be soon because we need quite a lot of investment to acquire machine that can be able to print the examination right here.”

He lamented that the issue is doable as the controlling officer disclosed to them  that Tanzania are printing examinations on their own saying it just needs a lot of investment.

Botoman further disclosed that the missing map reading in  geography paper, the controlling officer did mention that they didn’t cross check the examination envelopes when they came from where they were printed.

He lamented that they have challenged the controlling officer that mechanism has to be put in place when the examination arrives in this country saying they have to find the way of verifying whether the papers have been put in the envelopes or not.

In her remarks MANEB executive director Dorothy Nampota said the  machine that they have currently is manual which will require to print, collet, staple and package  that take alot of time which they cannot manage according to the number of candidates that’ys they source the printing service outside the country.

Nampota emphasized that they are in the process of asking the government to help to purchase an automated printing machine in order to start  printing examination in this country.

PAC summoned MANEB to come and respond to their audit issue that was observed by the auditor general in 30th June 2021.