Four caught selling examination papers

 By FRANCIS POKA

POLICE have arrested four people trying to sell Grade 8 examination papers to students at two schools in Western Highlands.

Two men and a woman were handed over to police by the headmaster of Baisu Primary School in Western Highlands, fellow teachers and community members yesterday. 

Another man was caught at the Rabiamul Primary School trying to do the same thing.

The two men and woman were among a group of people who went to Baisu primary school at around 6am before the students began the examination. 

They offered the exam papers for K15 each.

Some students reported the matter to the headmaster Gabriel Niggints. 

With the help of other teachers and people at the school, they arrested the three. Others fled into the nearby bushes.

Niggints immediately called police who took the three to the Mt Hagen police station.

At Rabiamul Primary School the same morning, a man was caught doing the same thing. Police arrested him.

Provincial police commander Martin Lakari urged the Education Department to investigate how the examination papers were leaked.

Lakari said the students were being subjected to illegal activities by irresponsible people who were only thinking about getting quick cash.

He appealed to the courts to impose tougher penalties on those engaged in such illegal activities.

Niggints said it was the second day of the examinations and such illegal activities distracted students. He said the same illegal activities happened in 2011 in the Highlands resulting in some students forced to 

have their exam results disqualified, affecting their entry into tertiary institutions.

Niggints said they had been warned in advance that some people would be at the schools yesterday morning to sell the exam papers.