By OBAKENG MAJE

The Grade 12 learners from Reivilo High School in Reivilo, who were allegedly found guilty of engaging in irregular practices to obtain an unfair advantage during the writing of the 2023 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations, have been sanctioned for two years.

It is alleged that, accounting learners cheated and the North West Department of Education withheld their results. However, one of the affected learners who refused to be named for fear of reprisal, alleged that even though they cheated during the final examinations, teachers were also involved.

“The question paper was leaked by certain teachers and we had to fork R3000 per learner. So, I’m still sitting at home without knowing my fate. It is true that, our results were withheld and the department said, we will only be eligible to write the accounting question paper in November 2025.

“We are prohibited from writing the subject for two years. They said we will only be allowed to write the November 2024 examination, once the sanction period has expired,” she said.

Meanwhile, the North West Department of Education spokesperson, Mphata Molokwane who refuted allegations when they first surfaced on 18 January 2024 said, the matter has been reported to the Provincial Examination Integrity Commission (PEIC) which is regulating examination in the province.

“Then the matter has also escalated to National Examinations Integrity Commission (NEIC). Umalusi has made recommendations that, the matter to be resolved within 6 months. We humbly request parents of affected learners to be patient as the matter is attended to.

“As the department, we believe that this matter is still sensitive and we would not be able to comment further, since there are some investigation and interrogations going on. When the matter is concluded, we will update on what transpired and what was found,” he said.

Molokwane further said there is a bit they can highlight on the letters that have been issued to those learners, who are believed they copied in the 2023 matric final examinations, to come forward and explain what has transpired on the day of examinations or prior that.

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