2020 matric exams
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.
The Department said it was preparing a report on irregularities in the 2020 National Senior Certification exams, which would be presented to quality assurance body Umalusi next month.
Marking got off to a difficult start in some places, with officials scrambling to enlist replacement markers after hundreds pulled out due to fears of COVID infection.
The department has been closely monitoring the marking process of the matric final exams for the class of 2020 with a special focus on health and safety due to the second wave of COVID-19.
The Supreme Court of Appeal referred the R500 000 defamation award back to the High Court for reconsideration.
On Friday, Judge Norman Davis ruled that what the education department did was unlawful and irregular.
In a statement on Friday, Umalusi said that it respected the judgment and would continue to support and work together with the relevant structures in the ongoing investigations into the paper leaks.
Judge Norman Davis on Friday declared the Basic Education Department’s decision unlawful and irregular.
The High Court in Pretoria has found that the decision by the Basic Education Department to rewrite two leaked papers was unlawful and irregular and that it should be set aside.
Judgment in the matter was reserved until Friday.
AfriForum argued in the High Court in Pretoria on Thursday that the minister made the decision for a national rewrite without adequate consultation with the DBE director-general (DG) and other education bodies.
The organisation is challenging the Department of Basic Education's decision of a national rewrite of two exam papers that were leaked.
Last week, the Department of Basic Education announced all matrics would need to sit again to rewrite the leaked maths paper 2 and physical sciences paper 2.
Various unions are planning to go to court to challenge the Basic Education Department's decision to rewrite mathematics paper 2 and physical science paper 2.
The minister on Friday briefed the media and confirmed the maths paper 2 and physical sciences paper 2 exams would have to be rewritten.
The Department of Basic Education (DBE) on Monday said that it had identified possible weaknesses in its systems amid matric exam papers being leaked.
This was revealed at a meeting of the Council of Education Ministers on Wednesday.
The demonstrators, who had been illegally occupying land in Khayelitsha, caused chaos on the N2 in Cape Town, demanding answers from the City of Cape Town.
Last week, the Basic Education Department announced that pupils who had contracted COVID-19 would be allowed to write the national senior certificate exams, but at separate venues but unions raised concerns, including that the health and safety of its members could be comprised.