Cape Town - The location is top secret. It is carefully monitored by a network of cameras. Access is strictly controlled – not even Western Cape Education MEC Debbie Schäfer is allowed to set foot in the security vault where the 2014 matric exam papers are kept.
On Thursday the media were allowed a rare glimpse into the vault, albeit only from the outside and under instructions not to identify any of the staff members, nor to reveal information about its location.
Schäfer said the security measures were necessary to ensure that no exam papers were leaked or any other irregularities.
Brian Schreuder, a deputy director-general in the department, said all staff members had been carefully screened and were monitored closely by cameras. No cellphones were allowed inside the vault.
Other security measures for the exams include:
* Each paper will be printed and packaged in the province and sealed immediately so that it cannot be tampered with.
* Pupils will be monitored during the exams and invigilators have been trained to be “extremely vigilant”.
* Markers have been trained to identify any irregularities.
* Every exam paper is bar-coded when printed to enable the department to track it.
“This is a huge logistical exercise that requires careful planning and tight management. While we cannot always predict some extreme circumstances, I am confident that the department has made all the necessary arrangements to avoid, where possible, any irregularities,” Schäfer said.
The exams started earlier this week, but most candidates will write their first paper, English, on Monday.
It is scheduled to conclude on November 28.
The exams in numbers:
* More than 800 000 exam scripts will be distributed in the province.
* 24 million images have to be scanned.
* The Western Cape has more than 61 000 candidates.
* More than 3 000 markers have been appointed.
Cape Argus