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A group of students have had their enrollment certificate withheld.
- More than 70 Butterworth Revival Christian School students have been denied enrollment certificates as the Provincial Examination Irregularities Committee investigates allegations of exam fraud.
- Some students described how they found comfort in alcohol, while others cried themselves to sleep at night.
- One student said she was unable to attend a hearing on the incident after she was admitted to the hospital for depression.
The enrollment certificates of 77 Butterworth Revival Christian School students have been withheld by the Eastern Cape Department of Education after they were accused of cheating during their National Senior Certificate exams in December.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, the group of students told News24 that the ordeal had ruined their future and negatively affected their emotional and mental health.
“This is so traumatic; one of us was admitted [to] hospital due to PTSD. For days he could not even attend the hearing. We can’t cope, some of the students have started drinking their lives because of this, “said one student.
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The students told News24 that officials from the provincial education department threatened them during a subsequent meeting at the school, claiming that they would not be able to rewrite their exams for more than three to five years, this, despite the fact that none of them were pleaded guilty. of cheating.
News24 understands that a long-awaited hearing on the matter was postponed three times before it finally took place last month, on February 13.
Despite the hearing, the students had yet to receive feedback from the school.
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Basic Education Department spokesman Elijah Mhlanga said: “The matter is still being dealt with by the Provincial Examination Irregularity Committee (PEIC) before it reaches the National Examination Irregularity Committee. The department is the authority. of appeal, reason why we will not comment now “.
Another student said:
“It’s stressful for me because my life is on hold. I cry myself to sleep every night. Colleges are inviting prospective students to enroll. The day before the school hearing, I was hospitalized due to depression caused by this. of our results. retained “.
Another student said she had been accepted to Walter Sisulu University based on her 11th grade results and awaiting her 12th grade results. “My life is on hold and there is nothing we can do,” she said.
Eastern Cape Education MEC Fundile Gade spokesperson Vuyiseka Mboxela was not drawn to discuss the incident, saying the matter was “sub judice.”
The National Association of Student Governing Bodies (NASGB) has called for the matter to be resolved quickly.
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NASGB Eastern Cape President Mongameli Peter said: “We wish to urge those at the forefront to address this immediately as it is in the best interest of the students, who are ultimately the future. of our nation – this probe to understand the status quo and, as such, ensure immediate resolutions. ”
Cribbing
Mboxela said: “When it comes to research on cribbing or group copying, it’s a bit [a] sensitive matter and should be treated with care. “
“I can confirm that if there is a student or a learner caught cheating or copying, that process takes its own course because before a particular determination can be made, proper investigations must have been conducted and there must have been been the adequate evidence presented by both parties. “
Mboxela said the students’ claim that there were no copies would be decided by the evidence that was discovered.
“Such a claim that they have not copied will be proven during the investigation. For now, we will not go into details on this matter because we cannot really discuss the investigation as it is sub judice.”
