Despite numerous isolated irregularities and two leaked examination papers, the 2020 National Senior Certificate (NSC) exam results have been approved by the quality assurance body Umalusi.
However, Umalusi did state that the investigation into the leaks that rocked the Department of Basic Education (DBE) during the exams last year is still ongoing.
The DBE administered the NSC examinations of 1,055,529 candidates – making it the largest exam ever sat for in SA, as a result of the cancellation of the June rewrite exams that could not take place because of Covid-19 and had to be combined with the November exams.
“The executive committee of the council is satisfied that, based on the evidence [presented by the DBE], there were no systemic irregularities which might have compromised the overall credibility and integrity of the 2020 NSC exams,” said Professor John Volmink, Umalusi’s chair of the council.
Basic Education Dept: 2020 matric exam paper leaks were not widespread The leak of the Maths Paper 2 and Physical Science Paper 2 exams brought the integrity of the 2020 National Senior Certificate exams into question. Picture:123rf.com
40 days ago
JOHANNESBURG – While the full extent of the 2020 matric exam paper leaks may never be known, an investigation found no evidence of major collusion among matriculants.
The Maths and Physical Science papers were leaked in November hours before pupils sat for the exams.
The Basic Education Department launched an extensive investigation to probe the full extent of the leaks.
The leak of the Maths Paper 2 and Physical Science Paper 2 exams brought the integrity of the 2020 National Senior Certificate exams into question.
Vandals and storms damage schools, says education department
15 Feb 2021
Children go back to school today (Monday), but 52 schools have been damaged by severe storms in recent weeks.
(Marco Longari/AFP)
Children go back to school today (Monday), but 52 schools have been damaged by severe storms in recent weeks.
Provincial departments have, however, made arrangements for learners at some of these schools to be accommodated in neighbouring schools. Others will be placed in mobile classrooms.
Fifty of the damaged schools are in the Eastern Cape, one is in Mpumalanga and another in the North West, according to a presentation on Sunday afternoon by basic education director general Mathanzima Mweli ahead of schools opening for the 2021 academic calendar on Monday.
More than 25 000 schoolchildren will not be joining their peers as schools across South Africa reopen this week, as the Department of Basic Education has yet to place them.