Grade 12 learners around South Africa are currently writing the National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams. The Department of Basic Education (DBE) revealed that more than 900,000 learners are participating in the matric exams.
The matric exams are extremely important as the results achieved by these leaders often determine the next steps on their academic journey. This often puts learners under a lot of pressure to do well as they have career aspirations which require them to achieve good marks in these examinations.
In recent years several illegals have been recorded as learners attempting to cheat. This includes instances where exam papers leaked where learners had access to examination scripts before they were scheduled to write their exams and group cheating.
The department’s spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga explains that cheating by learners could threaten the integrity of the examinations.
It becomes a big problem when that happens because it threatens the credibility and integrity as well as the profile of the examination.
The DBE has reportedly spent around R 674 million to enhance its security measures for the NSC exams. These measures include technology upgrades, increased personnel, and collaboration with government agencies.
Printing, packaging, storage and distribution of examination scripts are also under the spotlight. Inconsistencies with this could lead to question papers leaking and answer books leaking.
"We have spent about 674 million rand just on beefing up security for the national senior certificate examinations."
Mhlanga explained that collaboration with government agencies is also critical to protecting the integrity of the exams to prevent examination leaks. These government agencies include the State Security, the South African Police Service and the Hawks.
We also invite the assistance of other agencies of government such as State security, the police, the Hawks, and others to make sure that we clean the system and make sure that it eliminates the possibility of leakages of papers.
Promoting Accountability
The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has issued a warning to students against cheating in the upcoming exams. Every year, candidates in the province sign two significant documents: the matriculation pledge and a commitment agreement.
The matriculation pledge is a commitment to diligent study, adherence to exam regulations, and the reporting of any instances of cheating they come across. The commitment agreement outlines the rules and the repercussions for violating them.
Both candidates and their parents are required to sign this agreement as an acknowledgement of their understanding of these rules and their associated consequences.
Candidates have been cautioned about the severe repercussions of breaching these regulations. Such breaches may lead to the nullification of candidates' exam results and potential exclusion from future exams. Those involved in the unauthorised distribution of exam question papers may also face legal charges.
The nullification of results and the possibility of being debarred from taking one to three consecutive exams could postpone their post-school employment and further education.
At the end of the day, it is detrimental… It has big consequences for the learners.
Any candidate found implicated in the unauthorised release of exam question papers may face legal prosecution. Candidates are reminded to thoroughly check for any notes or phones before entering the exam hall.
The WCED emphasised that accidentally carrying notes or phones in their pockets is not an acceptable excuse. In 2022, 33 matric candidates were caught with notes or phones.
