Around 100 learners from EJ Singwane Secondary School were disqualified from writing matric exams due to allegations of cheating. The allegations involve group copying in four subjects: pure mathematics, maths literacy, physical science and another unspecified subject.
Due to these exam irregularities, they will now have to wait at least until December 2025 to be able to rewrite their papers.
The learners were charged and subsequently went through a hearing process in February 2024. Despite being told they would receive feedback within 10 days, they only got a guilty verdict after protesting.
The Department of Education (DBE) advised the students to appeal the decision before further actions are taken. However, this is not straightforward and involves multiple stakeholders such as the provincial and national education departments and Umalusi.
One learner says that after attending the hearing, the DBE found evidence of cheating and was still conducting investigations. They complained that the prolonged investigation has caused frustration among learners unable to pursue jobs or further education until the issue is resolved.
They said they are still investigating. We want to know what they found for them to conclude that we can only right next year.
In January, before the release of the 2023 NSC exam results, Umalusi CEO, Mafu Rakometsi, expressed concern about the ongoing practice of group copying. This concern stemmed from group copying cases involving 945 NSC candidates that were detected by the DBE.
At the time, they explained that they were still verifying the number of learners implicated in group copying.
These cases are not yet resolved because the numbers are still being verified.
Preventing Matric Exam Cheating
More than 900,000 Grade 12 learners participated in the 2023 NSC exams. The exams are critical as they significantly influence the learners' future academic and career paths which often places immense pressure on students to perform well.
In recent years, the integrity of these exams has been challenged by instances of cheating, including the leaking of exam papers and group cheating. DBE spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga emphasised that learners' dishonesty has the potential to jeopardise the credibility of the examinations. In 2023, the DBE invested R674 million in enhancing security measures.
These enhancements include technology upgrades, increased personnel, and collaboration with government agencies such as State Security, the South African Police Service, and the Hawks to prevent leaks and other forms of cheating.
