Tuesday, 28 July 2009

Concerns of cheating recur on eve of exams

The Phnom Penh Post
Monday, 27 July 2009
Khouth Sophak Chakrya and Tha Piseth

High school examinations to begin today as NGOs, parents decry cheating and corruption.

NEARLY 89,000 students are expected to begin their high school examinations today amid concerns from NGOs and parents that corruption on the part of monitors could once again mar the results.

Rong Chhun, president of the Cambodian Independent Teachers Association (CITA), told the Post on Sunday that he believed the exams would be flawed from the start, as the selection process for monitors and exam administrators had been in violation of rules outlined by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport.

For example, he said, though the regulations from the ministry prohibit deputy directors of high schools from running examination sites, some have been selected to do so.

He added: "Some of the teachers paid between US$10 and $15 to the examination committee to be an invigilator and a grader."

Un Sophanny, a teacher at Nhim Vanda Pearaing High School in Prey Veng province, said some high school teachers would likely sell answers to parents and students.

"They take money from students because they need it to pay for travelling and eating," said Chuonn Namheng, another Prey Veng teacher.

Teaching ethics
Un Sophanny said he believes it is immoral for teachers to accept bribes even though their salaries are low.

"Proctors should not take money from students, because it affects the reputation of other teachers who do respect the code of ethics of teachers," he said.

Sisowath High School student Meas Thearith, who will sit for his exams this year, said cheating and bribes had become routine at exam time.

"I heard about students who took the exam last year who looked at the books while they were taking the exam, because they gave money to teachers in class," he said.

Ministry officials could not be reached for comment on Sunday.

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