The Grade 12 (matric) examinations recently kicked off, but already, a student from a Newcastle based high school has been caught attempting to cheat during the crucial tests.
The incident, which has left education authorities and the local community concerned, unfolded on 31 October 2023.
Thankfully, an invigilator identified the individual sitting in place of a candidate who was meant to participate as a part time student.
Responding to the situation, the authorities contacted the police, who promptly arrived at Phendukani Full Service School, Madadeni, and took the suspect into custody. The apprehended individual is scheduled to make a court appearance on Wednesday, 2 November 2023.
Muzi Mahlambi, the provincial education department spokesperson, expressed the KZN Department of Education’s strong condemnation of the alleged examination irregularity, particularly as the high school in question is renowned for its outstanding academic performance within the province.
Mahlambi further cautioned the public and students, emphasising that the Department’s invigilators have undergone rigorous training to identify and address any form of examination irregularity, ensuring the preservation of the National Senior Certificate examination’s integrity.
Adding to this, the Democratic Alliance (DA) spokesperson for Education Dr Imran Keeka noted that cheating in the Grade 12 examinations is not unheard of, with learners using an array of ingenious techniques to try and get away with their actions. However, he said, “The Department has implemented methods to detect and deal with irregularities.”
With this in mind, he commended the Department for catching the imposter attempting to write an examination for the Grade 12 learner.
With both the Department of Education and the South African Police Service (SAPS) conducting additional investigations into this matter, the incident has ignited concerns among the public.
What are your thoughts on this case of alleged cheating during Grade 12 examinations? Please share your views in the comment section below.
