The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has debunked a viral social media video falsely alleging that a Grade 12 student was caught cheating during final exams, Cape {town} Etc reports.
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Originally posted on TikTok on Monday, as Grade 12 learners began their exams, the 62-second video features a woman claiming that a student was caught cheating on the English paper 3 by using AI on his cell phone.
The video has been removed from TikTok, but it sparked anxiety among Grade 12 learners, prompting the WCED to label it as fake news.
‘The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) is aware of a video circulating that alleges that a learner at Golden Gates High School was caught cheating in their matric exam,’ said Education MEC David Maynier.
‘No school of this name exists in the Western Cape, and the video is entirely fake.’
‘Despite subsequent videos explaining that it is some type of parody, the damage has already been done.’
Maynier emphasised that deliberate fake news undermines the integrity of the exam process and increases anxiety for students during this critical time.
He urged everyone in the Western Cape to refrain from sharing such misinformation, as it distracts officials from their duties and creates unnecessary panic among learners and parents.
‘Our priority during the exam period must be the well-being of our matrics, so that they are in the best possible headspace when they write each exam. It is the responsibility of each one of us, especially adults, to support our matrics in the Western Cape.’
The original video’s creator, @dramaticluna1, later clarified that the intention was not to spread misinformation but to highlight issues in education.
@dramaticluna1 Breaking my silence #teacher #teachersoftiktok #goldengateshighschool #goldengatesforyou #goldengatesforme #goldengatesforusall #matric #fyp ♬ original sound – Luna | Education Changemaker
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Picture: Jaco Marais / Gallo
