The Council of Education Ministers (CEM) held an urgent meeting this week to consider the implications of the latest developments with the leak of the Mathematics Paper 2 and Physical Science question papers.
This followed reports that a Physical Sciences Paper 2 had been leaked and circulated before the commencement of examination earlier on Monday morning.
The reported leak of Physics 2 comes after the Department of Basic Education (DBE) asked the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations, The Hawks, to investigate an earlier incident involving Maths last week.
The investigations are at an advanced stage and details on the progress of the probe will be made public at the right time while areas of possible areas weakness have been identified. In addition to this the Department has also dispatched teams to provinces to re-check the security systems.
The CEM expressed yet concern that the leaks were causing disruptions to a system which already experienced challenges due to COVID-19.
“It is unfortunate that people continue to be involved in something like this even though the consequences can be dire. We condemn in the strongest terms the conduct of persons who undermine the integrity of the examination because it causes untold stress on the learners who are looking forward to exiting the schooling system with a pass from an honest examination, not one associated with cheating,” said Minister Angie Motshekga.
CEM considered several options that are meant to further protect the exams but for security reasons these would not be divulged.
“We want to reassure the public that we are hard at work to ensure that we protect the examinations. The Hawks have been helpful in working with us and they are encouraging developments coming from their side,” said Minister Motshekga.
The DBE and provinces are continuing to work around the clock to implement the new measures that have been activated to protect the on-going examinations and also to hunt down the culprits.
