Fraud Squad probes exam paper leak

The alleged irregularity in the delivery of exam papers from the Ministry of Education’s headquarters on Hayes Street, St Clair, has engaged the attention of the Fraud Squad. Up to late yesterday, details of the investigation remained limited. However, it was confirmed by several senior police officers. The T&T Guardian was reliably informed that the police were contacted by ministry staff after learning about the missing papers yesterday afternoon. A suspect, who is assigned to the ministry’s offices, was up to late last night being interrogated by investigators in relation to the incident. Senior police sources said the suspect was detained after investigators reviewed CCTV footage captured by security cameras position at the storage rooms where the exam papers are stored before distribution to schools and exam centres.

 

The T&T Guardian understands that the exam papers were for two upcoming Caribbean Advance Proficiency Examinations (CAPE). When contacted yesterday, Education Minister Dr Tim Gopeesingh confirmed the investigation. Gopeesingh said: “The permanent secretary in the ministry is keeping me abreast of the situation.” He said the ministry received reports of some schools receiving examinations papers late for yesterday’s Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) English A exams. “I am advised that some students sat the exam at 11.30 am—almost two hours late,” Gopeesingh said. 

 

He said that a couple of schools complained of not receiving any papers at all. “The Caribbean Examinations Council was contacted and they advised that a police investigation be conducted,” he added. When a news team from the T&T Guardian visited the offices yesterday, a police fingerprint expert was seen on the compound. Around 7.30 pm, senior members of staff at the ministry were still seen walking around the corridors of the ministry’s offices.