MBOMBELA – The Mpumalanga Department of Education could find itself yet again in the middle of another matric- exam scandal, following the possible leaking of papers in the mid-year exam.
Matric learners confirmed that they had been in possession of the second mathematics paper on Sunday (June 21) – a day before they sat for the exam.
According to documentation in Lowvelder’s possession, matrics sought outside help after the paper that had been drawn up by the Mpumalanga Department of Education was leaked.
Help was, however, denied by the person who had been approached.
After the exam the following day, the pupils confirmed that the paper they wrote was identical to the one that had been made available.
The learners confirmed that the first paper had been leaked as well.
The Department of Education’s spokesman, Mr Jasper Zwane, told Lowvelder that the dates set for the maths papers were, however, set for June 4 and 8.
The department denied any form of leakage and said nothing had been reported or identified.
It did, however, not respond to the question on how it was thus possible that some matric learners only wrote the second maths paper on June 22.
In response Zwane said the department’s security system was second to none, very effective and there was no way that a grade 12 paper could have leaked.
“Since 2009 the province has improved its system and is on record to have managed the external examination highly effectively with integrity and credibility.
“This has on a number of occasions been confirmed by the Department of Basic Education and Umalusi which is the quality assurer for management of the conduct in external examinations,” Zwane added.
The department requested anyone who alleged to the contrary to come forward.
Mpumalanga made headlines in recent years for leaked exam papers, but seemed to have slightly moved in the right direction after the premier, Mr David Mabuza announced various interventions that would be implemented in 2010.
An informed source, however, told the paper that incidents like this continued to happen.
The source added that it was alleged that the papers were distributed from the KaMagugu district office.
It furthermore came to light that papers for the record examinations had already been made available at R200 each.
The department also did not respond to the above-mentioned allegation.
