21 000 matrics affected by leak

2007-10-31 14:21

Cape Town - About 21 000 matric pupils will have to rewrite the English First Language Higher Grade Paper 2 after the incorrect paper was handed out to candidates and parts of the exam were accidentally leaked by a Cape Town school ahead of the exam.

Western Cape Education Communications Director Paddy Attwell confirmed to News24 that the leak had taken place at the South African College High School (Sacs) in Newlands on October 10  2007.

The leak affects matrics in the Western Cape only.

The department has already informed schools that matrics will have to rewrite the paper on November 23.

Whole Western Cape affected

In a press statement, the department revealed that an incorrect paper was apparently handed out at Sacs on October 10, and parts of the paper were also leaked to candidates at Sacs and other schools.

The department investigated the incident and found that the leak had compromised the integrity of the exam.

Some matrics came forward and said they had known some of the questions ahead of the exam written on October 11.

November 23 was the first available day after the final paper on the matric examination timetable and principals and examination centre managers have been asked to tell all pupils in the Western Cape to prepare again for the exam.

Education spokesperson Brian Schreuder told News24 that roughly 21 000 matrics were affected by the leak.

The department said it was continuing investigations into the incident and had found that those responsible for managing the examination at Sacs on October 10 did not follow prescribed procedures correctly when opening and checking packages of papers, and when distributing papers to candidates.

The department terminated the contract of the chief invigilator at Sacs and issued a verbal warning to the head of the English department at the school. The department was still investigating the role of the principal, who was the accountable examinations officer at the school.

The department said it regretted the inconvenience caused to all but said the integrity of the exams could not be compromised.

When contacted by News24, Sacs did not want to comment on the incident.

- News24