Pretoria – The Department of Basic Education has strongly condemned the attacks on officials investigating the allegations of group copying by learners in KwaZulu-Natal during last year’s National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams.
The department has taken a decision to move the hearings taking place from certain venues to more secure locations.
This follows learners engaging in violence at three centres where the hearings were scheduled, cars were damaged and officials were locked out of the venue. In another case officials were locked inside the venue.
The department said this was an attempt to intimidate those conducting the hearings. It added that violence will not solve the problems of those implicated, but will only serve to worsen their situation.
“This kind of behaviour will not be tolerated and law enforcement authorities will be called in to deal with rogue elements perpetuating the violence. We have opened a criminal case with the police and those who damaged cars and property will be dealt with in terms of the law,” said the department.
Meanwhile, the department said it appreciated the support of the larger number of parents and learners who have cooperated in ensuring that the hearings continue in a non-intimidating environment.
“We will not be intimidated and the hearings will go on as scheduled. Those resorting to such violent and drastic measures appear as if they have something to hide; we will work closely with police to have them arrested.
“These disruptions are not consistent with the numerous calls made to the department to finalise the investigation as quickly as possible, which the department is committed to do.”
The department said it had received confessions from a significant number of learners who have indicated that they were assisted by adults invigilating or by their teachers and principals.
With regards to the group copying by learners in the Eastern Cape, hearings have been completed in 50% of the implicated centres.
Hearings will be finalised by the end of this month and the investigating team will be able to report on their findings and a decision regarding those implicated can be taken. – SAnews.gov.za
