South Africa’s Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube has confirmed a leak of exam papers for the 2025 National Senior Certificate (NSC) final examinations, which impacted crucial subjects including English, Mathematics and Physical Sciences, Cape {town} Etc reports.
This breach was uncovered through an intensive marking process that uncovered significant irregularities.
During a briefing this morning, Gwarube detailed how markers identified anomalies in the English Paper 2, prompting immediate investigations that have since cast a shadow over the integrity of the country’s education system.
‘Our systems worked as designed — the breach was detected, isolated, and contained,’ she stated, reassuring stakeholders that the credibility of the NSC remains intact.
The inquiry into the security breach comprises two officials from the Department of Basic Education (DBE) who have been implicated and swiftly suspended pending criminal charges with the South African Police Service (SAPS).
The scandal has escalated to include a group of Grade 12 pupils, reportedly numbering 26, identified as being part of this unfortunate affair.
Key findings from the investigation indicate that:
- The leak originated from within the DBE.
- Three subjects were compromised: English Home Language, Mathematics, and Physical Sciences.
- The sensitive information was allegedly disseminated via USB devices, affecting a specific group of seven schools predominantly located in the Pretoria area.
- A total of 26 learners are under scrutiny and have been officially flagged.
Gwarube emphasised the proactive measures taken, noting that a National Investigative Task Team is spearheading the effort to compile a comprehensive report.
This report will be presented to both the minister and Umalusi, the quality assurance body, by the end of December 2023.
She underlined the importance of maintaining trust in the examination system, asserting, ‘The credibility of the 2025 NSC remains intact.’
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