Degrees for sale: Tanzanian government to audit varsity exam systems after fraud exposure

Dar es Salaam. The ministry of Education, Science and Technology has announced a comprehensive audit of all university examinations and results transfer systems following recent media revelations of widespread academic fraud.

This action comes in the wake of an investigative report by The Citizen that exposed serious academic corruption within some of the country's universities, jeopardising the integrity of academic qualifications.

Now, the ministry plans to work closely with the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) to thoroughly investigate these allegations and take appropriate action.

"We will conduct a forensic audit to ensure that our exams remain untampered," said Minister for Education, Prof Adolf Mkenda, at a press conference on July 12, 2024.

The Citizen’s report uncovered a troubling network of corruption involving students, lecturers, and ICT department heads.

Some students were found bribing lecturers to retake missed tests and secure passing grades, while others were cultivating relationships with ICT staff to manipulate their results.

The investigation revealed that financial desperation among university staff significantly contributed to this unethical behaviour.

Prof Mkenda emphasised the ministry’s commitment to maintaining high ethical standards in education.

"Our universities adhere to ethical standards, especially regarding exams and professionalism, ensuring that degrees are awarded according to acceptable procedures," he assured.

To combat fraud, the ministry has introduced several measures, including conducting public defences for Master's and PhD dissertations.

"The defence of a PhD dissertation must now be conducted publicly, with the date, time, and location announced to the public. Anyone interested can observe and ask questions," Prof Mkenda explained.

This move aims to enhance transparency and accountability in higher education.

The minister also addressed the challenges posed by technological advancements, particularly the use of artificial intelligence in academic work.

"We are making efforts to stay ahead of this trend to prevent fraud. We use various softwares to check if the work belongs to the person who submitted it," he said.

An ICT expert from one of the universities, who preferred to remain anonymous, highlighted the importance of investing in cybersecurity.

"These systems are made by humans, and those same humans can infiltrate them. Universities should invest more in protecting these systems and monitoring their experts."

The government's decision has elicited mixed reactions from the academic community.

A lecturer at the University of Dodoma, Dr Paul Loisulie, noted that there is strong control in university systems, but because they are created and managed by people, individuals without integrity can interfere with them.

“It is crucial to continue protecting these systems," he noted.

An education expert, Dr Asha Abdallah, welcomed the audit, noting that it is necessary to restore trust in the education system.

"This audit is essential to ensure that our degrees are earned honestly and to maintain the credibility of our institutions," she said.

On the other hand, some university staff expressed concerns about the potential for increased scrutiny to create an atmosphere of fear and mistrust.

"While the audit is necessary, it is important that it does not lead to a witch hunt. We need to focus on systemic solutions rather than just punishing individuals," warned one of the staff members at a university who asked for anonymity.

The Citizen’s investigative report has been widely praised for bringing this critical issue to light.

"The report was a wake-up call for all of us," said an education policy analyst, Mr Emmanuel Mbaga.

"It highlighted the need for systemic reforms to address the root causes of academic fraud, including low pay for university staff and inadequate oversight mechanisms."

The ministry of Education's audit is expected to be thorough and far-reaching, covering all aspects of university examinations and results systems.

"We want to assure the public that we are committed to upholding the integrity of our education system," Prof Mkenda stated.

As Tanzania moves forward with this audit, the hope is that it will not only root out corruption but also lead to long-term improvements in the quality and transparency of higher education.

"Our education system and the degrees we award are genuinely good, and those who pass do so fairly. Those who cheat will be caught and their credentials revoked," Prof Mkenda emphasised.

The government's swift response to the media revelations underscores the importance of maintaining the integrity of Tanzania's higher education system.

By addressing the issue head-on, the Ministry of Education aims to restore public trust and ensure that academic qualifications are a true reflection of students' hard work and dedication.