Mpumalanga Grade 12 learners and teachers caught in cheating scandal
The cheating scandal was revealed in reports that followed allegedly after a whistle-blower exposed it.
Following the recent cheating scandal concerning some schools and some Grade 12 learners, the Mpumalanga Department of Education has released a statement confirming that an investigation is under way.
This probe will be undertaken in collaboration with the Department of Basic Education.
On a statement released on Monday, the department said it views the allegations of cheating reported at some centres in the Manyeleti Circuit, in the Bohlabela District, very seriously. It is currently unclear which schools within the circuit cheated.
According to reports, a whistle-blower alleged that 370 Grade 12 learners from three Mpumalanga schools had received answers to papers from teachers during their exams. Allegedly, the teachers were paid as much as R1 500 to send the correct answers to some learners in a WhatsApp group chat. This practice has allegedly been termed the “Road to Varsity”.
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Meanwhile, the Mpumalanga DA is calling for the department to name and shame the schools at which allegations of exam cheating were made. The provincial DA leader, Jane Sithole, said according to some learners and community members, exam cheating practices in this area have been going on for years.
“Apparently, learners and invigilators collude to bypass systems put in place to uphold the credibility and integrity of the public examinations.”
Sithole said while they wait for the investigations’ outcome, the school’s or schools’ names must be made known to the public.
“The department cannot be seen to be protecting these schools where this shocking revelation has surfaced. Any learner who acquires a senior certificate through scrupulous means, will struggle at higher education level and may not be able to obtain their qualification as intended.”
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The spokesperson for the Department of Basic Education, Elijah Mhlanga, said, “The department requests that time is given for the investigation to take place and that all those who have information about this cheating and misconduct, must co-operate accordingly. The department will henceforth await the outcome of the investigation before determining the cause of action to be undertaken going forward.
“The department is disturbed that there are people and forces who are hell-bent to do anything and everything to cheat. The good thing is that the department has advanced and sophisticated processes in place to identify such people or forces and to expose them for who and what they are,” Mhlanga said.
