By Anita Dangazele
- A leaked paper in Mathematics, Physical Sciences and English has been traced to 40 learners at seven schools in Tshwane.
- Learners found guilty could lose their certificates, face fines or even go to prison for up to six months.
The Department of Basic Education has withheld the results of 40 matric learners after they were caught up in a leaked exam paper scandal.
Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube said the leak was traced to seven schools in the Tshwane area.
Gwarube was speaking on Friday during a media briefing about the findings of a special investigation into the breach.
The investigation found that the 40 learners had access to leaked question papers and marking guides before the exam. It confirmed that the breach came from inside the department’s own secure exam system.
A department official is believed to have accessed the papers and passed them to their child, who then helped distribute them to others. Another official is also under investigation.
The forensic team has not yet found the exact machine or time the papers were taken from the system. The investigation is ongoing and law enforcement is involved.
Despite the leak, the department said the integrity of the National Senior Certificate exams is not in question, as only a small number of learners were involved out of more than 900,000 who wrote.
Gwarube said schools would not be named, as the investigation focuses on individuals. She warned that schools in the area should not be assumed guilty.
Umalusi, the exams quality control body, also confirmed that the breach was limited to three subjects: Mathematics, Physical Sciences and English Home Language. Seven papers were affected.
Umalusi chief executive Dr Mafu Rakometsi warned that even learners not yet caught would face punishment if they are identified later.
“If they are found, their results will be cancelled. They could face fines or six months in jail if they do not return their certificates,” he said.
Rakometsi stressed that while the scandal is serious, it does not affect the credibility of the overall exam results.
Pictured above: Minister Siviwe Gwarube.
Image source: GCIS
