Matric papers 'dumped'

2003-11-02 21:56

Sibanengi Dube

Durban - A cloud hangs over the credibility of matric examinations in KwaZulu-Natal after the public picked up grade 12 answer scripts on a road.

They reportedly saw piles of papers blowing around on Thursday in Nongoma, in northern KwaZulu-Natal. After close examination, they found that the papers were Afrikaans scripts written the same day.

They apparently contacted officials from the department of education who came out and collected them.

Chief director of examinations Morgan Naidoo confirmed on Sunday that batches of examination answer books fell from a van which was transporting them from various schools to a central marking place.

The incident drew heavy attacks from provincial legislators, who have already taken MEC for education Narend Singh to task.

"We call upon MEC Narend Singh to come clean. We cannot allow a situation where students have to suffer due to the negligence of some individuals. Singh owes the public an explanation," said ANC spokesperson Mtholephi Mthimkulu.

Mthimkulu said parents were worried over the negative impact the incident could have on this year's matric results. He suspected that 10 to 15 schools were affected.

Singh said everything was on track and that only two boxes of papers had fallen from the van, whose door was not properly closed.

He said a full investigation would be conducted to determine the extent of the damage.

Naidoo dismissed Mthimkulu's statement as "mere sensation."

- Daily Sun