A matriculation exam fraud scandal has been uncovered in six provinces.
- Allegations that more than 1,000 students from six provinces cheated on the 2022 Matrix exams are being investigated.
- The complaints were reported to the Department of Basic Education through its WhatsApp hotline.
- The Board of Trustees of the National Association of Schools has called for a thorough investigation into the fraud..
The Department of Basic Education has launched an investigation into allegations of cheating in the recent national higher certification exams involving 1,189 students from six provinces.
Of this number, 1,127 pupils were believed to be from schools in Mpumalanga where pupils reportedly paid teachers up to R1,500 to join WhatsApp groups where answers were posted while taking exams.
It is believed that some teachers and supervisors helped the students to cheat.
In addition to posting responses on WhatsApp groups, proctors are alleged to have provided responses to students during bathroom breaks and even passed them crib notes in exam rooms.
The Department of Basic Education confirmed that it was investigating the allegations that arose from complaints filed through its WhatsApp hotline set up to receive reports of examination irregularities.
READ | ‘There is adequate enhanced security’: Gauteng education confident it can thwart cheating in matric exams
Department spokesman Elijah Mhlanga further revealed that the issue identified in the Mpumalanga exam scam was the economy.
In Gauteng, 53 pupils are alleged to have cheated on the Economics 1 exam, while four candidates have been charged with cheating on the Mathematical Literacy exam in the Eastern Cape.
Three students were also accused of cheating on math literacy tests in the North West, while the Western Cape and Limpopo each had one student who allegedly cheated on an English test.
Mhlanga confirmed that the matter was being investigated.
READ | Matric 2020: Five Gauteng students caught cheating during final exams
The South African Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu) has called on Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga to urgently investigate these allegations to protect the integrity of the exams.
“Any cheating or cheating on exams is not only a crime but also an attack on the commitment of teachers and hard working students. We condemn any wrongdoing that seeks to undermine our efforts as teachers to give the best to our country,” Sadtu Secretary General Mugwena Maluleke said.
The National Association of School Governance Bodies has called for a thorough investigation.
NASGB General Secretary Matakanye Matakanye said: “Those found to have behaved illegally, both teacher and student, must face the power of the law. We must send a clear message to the public. The NASGB has a clear policy that children should not bring their cell phones to school.”
