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Public and private companies have established various support programs to help matrices with their studies and other needs. (Photo: Gallo Images / Roger Sedres)
Engaged math and physical science assignments must be rewritten nationwide, by all candidates for the Higher National Certificate exam.
It was not an easy decision to make, but the Department of Basic Education said on Friday, December 4, that the integrity and credibility of the enrollment documents were compromised.
“When we present our reports to The Shepherd, concluded that the integrity and credibility of the two question papers have been irrevocably compromised, ”said the department’s chief director of national assessment and public examination, Dr. Rufus Poliah.
Umalusi is the independent quality assurance body for exams, approves final results and issues enrollment certificates.
Poliah, Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga and department head Hubert Mweli briefed the media on Friday about the tests and the leaks.
“Having considered all factors, including our commitment to Umalusi, we agreed as the Council of Ministers of Education that there should be a national rewrite of the mathematics test 2 and the physical science test 2. It is the first time in our history that we have a national rewriting, ”Motshekga said.
A major factor contributing to the decision to institute a national rewrite was the fact that the documents were leaked on a public platform, WhatsApp.
Poliah said that while the investigation is not yet complete, there are indications that only 195 matrices accessed the leaked math document.
However, since they don’t know how many of these matrices scatter the question paper, the department cannot determine the extent of the leak.
“What’s on social media is spreading like wildfire,” Poliah said. “We have to accept that the question document was compromised because it was found on a public platform.”
Consultations with teachers’ unions and other relevant stakeholders yielded divergent views, Poliah said. But he argued that “if we want to restore public confidence in the review process, we have to make an unpopular decision.”
Test 2 of mathematics will be written on Tuesday, December 15 at 2:00 p.m. and test 2 of physical science on Thursday, December 17 at 9:00 a.m.
“It was not an easy decision to make, but it is necessary under the circumstances,” Motshekga said.
In the past, the department has conducted provincial rewrites of tuition tests after leaks, but there have never been any nationwide leaks.
Read previous report: No need for alarm after tuition exam paper leaks, says department of education
Although the department maintains that the details of the investigation cannot be released, a suspect was arrested in connection with the leak of the math document on November 25. The suspect works for a Johannesburg company hired by the department to print this year’s exams.
The suspect appeared in court on Thursday, November 26, was granted bail and will return to court in January.
Speaking about the measures taken by the department since the leaks, Mweli said they had strengthened his security.
“But we have done many things. We have reviewed our printing and paper delivery processes as part of strengthening our security, ”he said.
In addition, Mweli said, they are subjecting their entire business process to an audit by an external auditor and the country’s security agencies.
Despite the reports, Motshekga said there were no other leaks. He said a business studies test leak was prevented as the document was replaced with a backing paper before the test was written after a leak was identified. DM
