Sadtu in Mpumalanga oppose matric exam rewrite decision

The Mpumalanga Department of Education (DoE) says it is all system go for grade 12 exam rewrites. The DoE spokesoerson, Jasper Zwane, said security has been strengthened to make sure that the exam question papers are not leaked again. “The security details may not be divulged to avoid security breaches or planning against our plans. The department is ready for the administration of papers to be rewritten.”

Last week, the Department of Basic Education announced all matrics would need to sit again to rewrite the leaked final exam maths paper two and physical sciences paper two.

The Mpumalanga secretary of the South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu), Walter Hlaise, said, “As Sadtu provincial we are not supporting the national rewrite. The initial investigations show that only a few learners saw the paper and the overwhelming majority did not. It is a localised leak.”

Hlaise added that Sadtu thinks rewriting the exams is punishment for those who are innocent. Meanwhile the department said the exam rewrite is not optional, but compulsory.

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Zwane said all centres have already been alerted and candidates informed. “The candidates will continue to write at their centre. On December 15 they will write mathematics and on December 17 it will be physical science. They must approach their schools for study material – that includes textbooks.”

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“They must continue to wear their school uniforms. The examination cycle has been extended by two days. The pupils must take this opportunity as a second chance for them to study again and to get ready for the rewrite.” He added that as the department they would like to urge parents to be supportive and considerate to avoid additional stress.