Several irregularities disrupted the first day of baccalaureate examinations. The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research has reported multiple anomalies.
Despite strict directives from the Ministry of Higher Education, some candidates violated the rules. Cases of attempted fraud and regulatory violations were recorded at various examination centers yesterday during the first day of baccalaureate tests. The most serious incidents involved identity substitution. "Two people were caught red-handed taking the exam in place of actual candidates, one at Bezaha and another at Ambilobe," reported Professor Angelo Raherinirina, Director General of Higher Education, yesterday.
The matter has been referred to law enforcement. This offense is severely punished by law. Both the imposters and the replaced candidates face serious administrative and potentially criminal sanctions. At Mahabo, a candidate was caught cheating, concealing handwritten notes on his person.
Meanwhile, the strict ban on mobile phones within examination centers was widely violated. Numerous candidates were found with phones in examination rooms. Some went to great lengths to bypass security checks. "One candidate hid her phone in her intimate parts," the official continued. He warned that all confiscated phones will be retained until the end of examinations for investigation purposes.
Candidates caught violating rules are excluded from examination rooms. "Their files will then be submitted to the Disciplinary Council (Codis), which will decide on sanctions if the facts are confirmed," he explained.
Jury members were particularly strict during entrance checks to baccalaureate examination rooms. Some limited themselves to body searches of candidates, while others also inspected bags or briefcases brought into the examination room. This did not prevent some candidates from entering with phones.
"Their instruction was to turn off our phones and put them in our bags, which we must place in front of us, away from us," said one candidate.
The measure banning connected devices within examination centers was implemented to prevent exam questions from leaking. "Whether students, invigilators, or administrative staff, no one is allowed to bring a phone into an examination center, not just into examination rooms. Many try to sneak them in to photograph the questions and distribute them," explained Professor Angelo Raherinirina. As of yesterday, no questions had leaked.