Independent probe into scam
2005-01-20 16:49
Pretoria - A team comprising independent experts will be set up to
investigate claims of cheating in last year's Mpumalanga matric
exams, Education Minister Naledi Pandor said on Thursday.
The group would also include education department officials, she
told reporters in Pretoria.
The team's probe would compliment a separate ongoing police
investigation into the allegations.
Pandor said she would discuss the establishment of the team with
Mpumalanga's education MEC as soon as possible.
The move, she said, was "to ensure we send a clear message that
we are taking such practices very seriously".
Pandor also announced that the national matric pass rate for
2004, initially put at 71.4%, has been adjusted downwards to
70.7%.
The initial figure had excluded the results of Mpumalanga,
withheld for more than three weeks because of the cheating
allegations.
The Democratic Alliance welcomed the announcement of an independent probe.
"We commend the minister for taking this brave step in the face of opposition from the province," it said in a statement.
Existing statutory oversight mechanisms would not be able to satisfy the public of the integrity of the Mpumalanga exams, "especially since officials in the department could very well have been involved".
Only an independent probe could ensure that all those involved were brought to book and restore the public's faith in the exam system, the DA said.
- SAPA