The boxes were being transported to Eenhana at the back of a pick-up with a canopy, to be stored at the education directorate’s offices.
Papers stolen include English papers one and two, Geography papers one and two and Life Science which has a single paper.
Education Minister Dr David Namwandi yesterday described the theft as “a unique situation”.
“We will get together and decide on the way forward. Remember, it is not the fault of the students. It is an unfortunate and regrettable situation,” Namwandi elaborated.
Once the examination board decides on the way forward the ministry will be in a position to communicate to the public.
It is alleged that the teacher from the Oshikango Combined School and the head of the examination centre were entrusted by school management to transport the answer sheets to the regional education directorate office from where they would be transported to Windhoek for marking purposes. There are more than 60 full-time Grade 10 candidates and a few part-time learners registered for exams at the Oshikango Combined School, which is located in Oshikango town, on the border between Namibia and Angola.
However on his way to Eenhana the teacher parked his vehicle outside Standard Bank in Oshikango and went inside to withdraw money.
He was alone in the vehicle and when he allegedly returned he found all three boxes had been removed. His vehicle canopy apparently does not lock and gave the criminals easy access.
Normally all the exam answer sheets are transported every Friday to the regional education directorate and then taken to Windhoek for marking.
The affected learners who now are in limbo over the stolen answer sheets already sat for six subjects and they remain with three more papers to write.
The Director of National Examinations, Cavin Nyambe, refused to divulge any information saying he had been instructed not to talk to the media.
“We have an examination board of which the permanent secretary (Alfred Ilukena) is the chairperson. So the board will decide on the outcome because the matter is still under investigation. I have reported the matter to the PS and the minister. I am told not to give any information to the media. The moment I say anything I will be crucified so they must tell you because I informed them,” he said.
A case of theft has since Friday been opened.
Confirming the matter yesterday was Deputy Commissioner Abner Agas, the Ohangwena Regional Crime Investigations Coordinator who said the police were still investigating the matter and no one had been yet arrested.
“The incident was reported to us on Friday. The teacher who was transporting the papers came to open the case himself. He was taking the answer sheets to Eenhana where they were then supposed to be transported to Windhoek for marking purposes,” Agas said.
New Era understands that although police investigations continue, the Ohangwena regional education directorate dispatched a team of investigators to the school.
Grade 10 learners started writing exams on September 26, and are scheduled to finish by October 20.