Johannesburg – Over 300 cases of corruption in schools have been reported in a survey via instant messaging service Mxit, Corruption Watch said on Monday.

Seven out of 10 respondents claimed school principals were responsible for misusing money or school property, spokesperson Patience Mkosana said.

Six out of 10 respondents said teachers were responsible for soliciting favours in exchange for better marks.

Consumer insights company Pondering Panda was commissioned to conduct a survey in August, using a sample of 3 284 people aged between 13 and 34.

The survey concluded that teachers were often responsible for selling exam and test papers to pupils.

“Half of the respondents were pupils at a school, or at Further Education and Training Colleges,” Mkosana said.

The rest of the respondents included teachers and school governing body members.

Comment from the education department could not immediately be obtained.

– Corruption Watch report.

– SAPA