Umalusi education council approves matric results despite leaked papers
The council for quality assurance in general and further education and training said they approved the results as there were no systematic irregularities of the overall results compromising the credibility of examinations.
Umalusi education quality assurance council has approved the matric results stating there were no systematic irregularities despite the two leaked examination papers.
The quality assurance in general and further education and training council (Umalusi) released their report on Monday during a press briefing at Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in Pretoria.
The Umalusi initially backed the Department of Education on the court case to have matrics rewrite leaked mathematics and physical science papers as it believed the results had been compromised.
Umalusi CEO Dr Mafu Rakometsi said the council had approved as investigations found that there were no systematic irregularities compromising the credibility and integrity of the examinations.
Rakometsi said the department would, however, nullify the results of those implicated in wrongdoing.
“Based on the reports we got from the department on Friday, Umalusi has decided to release all the results except for those learners who have been proven to have had access to the leaked papers,” he said.
“The investigations have not been completed yet. Those who might have escaped dictation we are saying they must not celebrate yet – we have the right to recall their results once evidence would be tabled.”
He said the report from the Department of Education was subjected to rigorous interrogation with evidence and found there was no reason to block the results of everybody due to lack of evidence.
Presenting the report council chairperson, Professor John Volmink said having studied all the evidence presented, the executive committee (Exco) of Umalusi council noted there were isolated irregularities reported during the writing and marking of examinations from independent and public assessment bodies.
“However, Exco is satisfied that there were no systemic irregularities reported which might have compromised the credibility and integrity of the November 2020 national senior certificate (NSC) examinations administered by the Independent Examinations Board (IEB). “
Furthermore, the council has directed the IEB and private assessment bodies to address the directives for compliance and improvement highlighted in the quality assurance of assessment report and submit improvement plans next month.
The council accepted raw marks of 46 subjects (out of 66), adjusted (mainly upwards) eight subjects and adjusted (mainly downwards) 12 subjects.
Volmink explained that adjusting marks they used an average performance of learners over the past five years, and would adjust marks only up to 10% depending on the performance.
Of those they would adjust upward would be a considered low performance compared to the past five years due to the setting of the paper.
“At times a paper would be found to be too difficult and sometimes too easy and we adjust looking at those factors among others.”
Volmink said although the extent of the leaked papers has not yet been determined, the council was happy with the credibility of the results.
A report by the Department of Education showed that about 27 learners were implicated to have had access to the leaked mathematics paper and about five had access to the physics paper.
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