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STAFF REPORTER|
THE Department of Basic Education has launched a probe into allegations of cheating in the recent national senior certificate exams involving more than 1 000 pupils from six provinces.
The allegations were reported to the Department of Basic Education through its WhatsApp hotline.
On Sunday, Department of Basic Education confirmed that it was investigating the allegations and that the director-general Mathanzima Mweli has approved the creation of a task team to investigate the allegations.
Departmental spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga said that the subject identified in the Mpumalanga exam cheating scandal was economics.
Dozens of Mpumalanga learners are alleged to have paid teachers up to R1500 to join WhatsApp groups, where answers were posted on the platform during exam sessions.
It is alleged that in addition to posting answers on the WhatsApp groups, invigilators provided answers to pupils during toilet breaks and even passed notes to them in exam halls.
One of these WhatsApp groups was allegedly called “Road to Varsity” and provided answers to Maths and physical science exam questions.
The whistleblower claimed that over 370 grade 12 students from three Mpumalanga schools were part of the “Road to Varsity” WhatsApp group.
There are also allegations of learners using various cheating methods in Maths Literacy, Economics and English papers in Gauteng, Limpopo, the North West, Eastern Cape and Western Cape.
Mhlanga told the SABC that there could be criminal charges because in recent years the department has been working with the Hawks on matters of irregularities involving exams.
“So, we are exploring all options to make sure that the punishment is severe and serves as a deterrent. If there is a Whatsapp group it means that people are coordinating within that platform. Several things could happen,” said Mhlanga.
“1. They could be asked to rewrite. 2. They could be banned for 1-3 years from writing their exams which means their lives would have to pause because of what they have done. But Umalusi would also make the final decision.”
INSIDE EDUCATION