Cape Town - Grade 12 learners who started writing final exams will be required to sign anti-cheating agreements with the Western Cape Education Department, to prevent them from copying, hiding crib notes or bringing cellphones into exams.
The department said learners, with their parents and principals, will be required to sign “commitment agreements” to ensure the integrity of the National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams.
The commitment agreement details the rules of the exams and what is not allowed, such as copying, being in possession of a cellphone or crib notes, getting a leaked paper, or failing to report a leaked paper, Education MEC David Maynier said.
“Every candidate is required to sign the agreement, along with a parent/guardian and the school principal.
“Most schools have included this as part of their valedictory assemblies, as it is part of the administrative paperwork that must be completed by schools,” Maynier said.
In the 2021 NSC, nine learners were found in possession of crib notes, and 14 had brought a cellphone into the exam room.
In the year prior, seven learners had crib notes, and 10 learners had cell phones.
“If found guilty, a candidate could be disqualified from the exam, and even be barred from writing up to three subsequent examinations.
“Criminal prosecution could be instituted should it be found that the candidate is involved in the leakage of any examination question paper,” Maynier said.
On Tuesday, 11 030 candidates sat for the Computer Applications Technology (CAT) practical, and 927 candidates will sit for the Information Technology practical today (Wed).
Maynier said there were no incidents reported at schools yesterday, (Tues), with almost all done with the CAT exam by 5pm, and one school finishing after 7pm.
“We congratulate our exam officials and school staff for their hard work and planning!,” Maynier said.
On Monday, written exams will commence. The department has contracted 1 889 invigilators for all exams.
“It appears that the government has strengthened measures to protect the NSC papers from leaking.
“If everyone commits to do their part, we are unlikely to experience paper leakages and this is cause for celebration,” Foundation for Education and Social Justice Africa deputy chairperson Hendrick Makaneta said.
“Group copying has since been detected when Umalusi did quality assurance and it appears that this phenomenon has been on the decrease over the last few years.
“So at this stage the concern regarding learners who attempt to cheat has no basis.”
Bardale High School Principal, Nelisa Hopa said no unauthorised material will be allowed into the exam venues.
“The most common one which most of the time is not intentional and they don’t intend to copy, is bringing their cellphone into the exam room.
“Even if the cell phone is switched off it must not be brought into the exam venues.
“Bringing any unauthorised material may result in the learner being barred from writing exams for up to three years.”
Punctuality also came up as a challenge for some learners.
“Late coming results in panic and no candidate is allowed an hour after the exam has started.”