The 2024 South African matric examinations, now over halfway complete, have been marked by both progress and unexpected disruptions. While the majority of exams have proceeded smoothly, a series of incidents, including the arrest of a matric learner inside an examination venue, has highlighted the challenges faced by the Department of Basic Education.
In a media briefing held today in Cape Town, Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube reported on the overall progress of the examinations.
"Today marks day 12 of the exams," she stated. "Our systems are holding up well under the pressure. 104 of the 181 question papers have been written as of today, which represents 58% of exams. We are now over the halfway point. So far, the administration of this year's grade 12 exams has been progressing well."
The Minister emphasised the department's commitment to ensuring a fair and supportive examination experience for all learners. However, this commitment has been tested by several unforeseen circumstances.
The most dramatic incident involved the arrest of a matric learner during an examination for suspected involvement in an armed robbery.
"There was one learner who could not finish their paper as they were arrested inside the exam venue as a suspect in an armed robbery case," Minister Gwarube confirmed.
No further details were provided regarding the specifics of the robbery or the learner's current status, leaving many questions unanswered. This unexpected interruption underscores the complexities of managing large-scale examinations and the potential for external events to impact the process.
Adding to the unusual events, two individuals were apprehended attempting to impersonate matriculants and write exams on behalf of others.
"As if that was not enough, two imposters were arrested while trying to write matric exams for others," the Minister disclosed.
Information regarding the location of the arrests and any subsequent actions taken against the individuals the imposters were allegedly representing remains scarce. This incident raises further concerns about the security and integrity of the examination system.
Beyond these significant incidents, the Department faced various logistical challenges. Protest actions in Jan Kemdorp (Northern Cape) and Limpopo required the intervention of the South African Police Service (SAPS) to ensure learners could safely reach their examination venues.
Severe weather, including floods and storms, impacted KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and the Eastern Cape, necessitating the activation of contingency plans to allow affected learners to complete their papers. Power outages in several areas were also overcome through the use of backup generators.
The Minister also mentioned the discovery and confiscation of cell phones and crib notes from several learners, with investigations currently underway.
