When announcing its preparedness to hold the much anticipated final National Senior Certificate (NSC) exam for the current school year, the Department of Basic Education also ensured to mention that there would be disciplinary consequences for those caught cheating.
However, this stern warning seems to have been unheeded by some of the current NSC exam candidates because, although the class of 2022 has barely made it halfway through its exam period, the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has already confirmed 14 exam cheating incidents.
In a statement issued on Thursday this week, the WCED confirmed that they have already received 14 reports of candidates allegedly bringing cell phones or crib notes into their exam venues.
The department further stated that all reported incidents will be properly investigated, and the offending candidates will have the chance to plead their case at a hearing held after the exam session.
Each reported incident will be thoroughly investigated, and the candidate in question is given the opportunity to make representations at a hearing following the exam session. The candidate will also have the opportunity to appeal the finding from the hearing.
WCED also pointed out that participating candidates cannot say that they were unaware of the guidelines because they were asked to sign a Commitment Agreement outlining the rules of the exams and the penalties for breaking them before the exam session.
“It is imperative that candidates carefully check their pockets for notes or cell phones before they sit down to write, as “forgetting” that they were carrying these items is unfortunately not an excuse,” explained WCED Spokesperson, Kerry Mauchline
If found guilty, the candidate who commits the above-mentioned exam irregularity faces disqualification and a possible ban from up to three additional exam sessions.
Exams candidates have also been encouraged to report any incidents as they can have consequences for other learners who may have played no part in them. This can include them being required to rewrite the exam despite not being guilty of the uncovered irregularity.
