1. Noting that the conduct of examinations is a multi-organisational and multi-process value chain, including several organisations and role players within each organisation and that the leakages of question papers can take place at any point in the value chain or organisation. The Department has undertaken the following steps to identify the source(s) of the leaking of examination papers:
No evidence of the sources of the leakages has thus far been identified.
2. (a) The following security measures, among others, were taken:
- the question paper setting-unit has been placed in a secure area with limited access;
- printing and packaging of question papers was moved from onsite printing and packaging to a high security environment with CCTV cameras and security guards at Government Printing Works;
- where possible the packing of question papers is automated to reduce the number of hands on live papers;
- question papers are double sealed, firstly in a tamper proof bag and then secondly in a custom made box which is only opened in front of the students in the examination venue; and
- secure delivery points were established nationally at carefully selected public colleges where examination centres collect their question papers one hour before an examination commences and return scripts one hour after the conclusion of an examination.
(b) The following steps to protect the integrity of the examinations, among others, have been implemented:
- a leaked question paper is replaced immediately when the leak is reported and verified twenty-four hours before an examination sitting. Colleges are sent replacement papers for the sitting; and
- where the leak is reported and verified during or after an examination, special measures are put in place to monitor patterns of answering of questions during marking and where there are gross inconsistencies in the scores of candidates as compared to the scores expected, the scores are adjusted to the norm.
3. The Department has not acted against any official in connection with the leaking of question papers during the past five years as no departmental official could be linked to the leaking of question papers. It appears that there is a criminal syndicate active in the leaking of papers and therefore SAPS has been engaged, as the Department does not possess the capacity to investigate criminal elements.
4. The leakages were reported to SAPS at the Pretoria Central Police Station, reference number: CAS 54/8/2017 and New Brighton Police Station, reference number: CAS 12/8/2017.
5. The following improvements are currently being undertaken or being put in place in order to try and eliminate the future leaking of examination papers:
COMPILER/CONTACT PERSONS:
Tel:
DIRECTOR – GENERAL
STATUS:
DATE:
QUESTION 2329 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED
Dr BE NZIMANDE, MP
MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING
STATUS:
DATE: