NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION 2318
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 29/11/09
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 29-2009)
Dr JC Kloppers- Lourens (DA) to ask the Minister of Basic Education:
What (a) are the details for the leaking of (i) maths, (ii) physical
science and (iii) accounting exam papers, (b) were the financial
implications and (c) action will be taken if the standby exam papers are
also leaked? NW3029E
REPLY:
(a) On 19 October 2009 the Department of Education was informed by
the Mpumalanga Education Department that it received information from
the Principal of Nelspruit Private College that two students from
Trinity Private College were found to be in possession of the
Mathematics Paper 1 that was to be written in the 2009 National Senior
Certificate examination. This was immediately reported to the South
African Police Services (SAPS), which led to the arrest of the Deputy
Principal and two students from Trinity College, a private school in
Nelspruit. The Department of Education, immediately commissioned an
investigating team under the auspices of the National Examinations
Irregularities Committee to conduct an investigation of this alleged
leakage. A preliminary report from the investigation confirmed the
leakage of Mathematics Paper1 and the possibility of leakages in
Mathematics Paper 2, Physical Science Paper 1 and 2; and Accounting.
The Department of Education, immediately took a decision to replace
the question papers that were allegedly compromised, in a bid to
preserve the integrity of the examination. On 26 October 2009, the DoE
released five of its back-up question papers to PEDs for printing and
packing to replace the leaked papers. In the case of the Mpumalanga
province the five leaked papers were printed and packed under the
direct supervision of the DoE by SITA. The Minister of Basic
Education, announced on 23 October 2009 that the management of the
2009 NSC examinations in the province will be taken over by the
national Department of Education. A team of senior officials from the
Department of Education are currently stationed in the province and
are overseeing the examination processes in the province. The NEIC
Chairperson, Mr. SNP Sishi is continuing with the investigation and a
full and final report will be presented to the Minister by 7 January
2010. Further arrests have been made by the SAPS and the DoE is
confident that all culprits in this matter will be brought to book.
(b) The estimated cost to replace the five leaked papers across all nine
provinces totals to R 8 258 000. This includes printing, packing and
distribution of the replaced question papers. .
(c) The DoE is confident that the back-up papers will not have leaked
since the papers, for the Mpumalanga province, were printed, packed
and distributed under the direct supervision of the DoE in Pretoria.
In the case of the remaining PEDs, there has been increased security
at all venues where question papers are handled. However, in the
unlikely event that such a leakage does occur, the DoE does have a
contingency plan in place.
Compiler:
Ext
ACTING DIRECTOR- GENERAL: BASIC EDUCATION
Date:
QUESTION 2318 APPROVED/ AMENDED/ NOT APPROVED
MRS ANGIE MOTSHEKGA, MP
MINISTER OF BASIC EDUCATION
DATE: