THE results at all the 20 examination centres implicated in mass copying in KZN will remain blocked following an investigation into examination irregularities.
These irregularities were identified by the Department of Basic Education (DBE), Umalusi and the Provincial Education Department during the writing of exams in October and November 2014, and the marking process in December 2014. Whistle blowers also alerted the DBE of possible irregularities at certain schools.
In KZN a total of 38 centres were identified as showing some form of an irregularity emanating from the marking audit. Based on the suspicion of copying, the DBE deployed a team of subject specialists to conduct a more detailed investigative audit of the scripts in seven selected subjects in the centres identified. Umalusi subject specialists were also involved in the audit. Based on the outcome of the audit the centres were blocked.
“Provincial Education Departments and the DBE conducted interviews with the chief invigilators and learners. The DBE and Umalusi were represented on each panel. Invigilators and learners were requested to complete a questionnaire which served as a statement. Invigilators were then presented with the evidence and interviewed individually. Learner interviews were conducted in KZN and the Eastern Cape, and orientation sessions of the panels were held prior to the commencement of the interviews. Concurrent hearings and interviews were conducted at schools and learners were interviewed individually based on a sample, or in other cases group interviews were conducted,” said Elijah Mhlanga from the Department of Communications of the Department of Basic Education.
Following the investigations a total of 20 centres in KZN were finally blocked based on the evidence identified; however, there are some subjects that will be released in certain centres.
“It’s important to clarify that if, for example, the results for paper one are released but paper two is blocked, it means the subject is blocked because the results of the subject cannot be split into papers. Therefore the unblocking in those cases might not assist because those involved would still need to work with the investigators to resolve the remainder of the papers or subjects,” said Mhlanga.
In KZN and the Eastern Cape the chief invigilators, invigilators and the matriculants who are implicated will be invited to formal hearings. Based on the formal hearings the sanction will be determined.
“The DBE will exercise a more dominant role in all provinces in 2015 and is working on system improvements to avert similar occurrences in the future,” said Mhlanga.
