Eba Kandovazu
THOUSANDS of learners will have to re-write Grade 11 (new curriculum) and Grade 12 (old curriculum) examinations early next year, following the leakage of question papers and memorandums.
Ten suspects have since been arrested, Education, Sport and Culture Ministry (MESC), Executive Director, Sanet Steenkamp, says.
According to Steenkamp, eight of the suspects were released on bail while two who are foreign nationals are still in police custody. Three criminal cases have been opened, she says. Two cases have been opened at Ongwediva police station while another one was opened at Ondangwa.
Steenkamp, who has also announced that examinations have been canceled, adds that learners who had already written affected subjects will have to re-write them, while those who were scheduled to write exams will have to wait until a date has been set in January and February next year.
Steenkamp exclusively told this publication that visually impaired students who have to write the brailled papers will continue with the examinations as planned, saying that these examinations are not cancelled.
In her statement, Steenkamp says that the affected subjects for Grade 12 Ordinary Level (old curriculum) are; English 2nd Language Paper 1(core) and Paper 2 (extended), History papers 1 and 2, Agriculture papers 1 and 2, Development Studies papers 1,2 and 3 as well as Biology papers 1,2 and 3.
The affected subjects for Grade 11 Ordinary level ( new curriculum) are; English 2nd Language paper 1, Afrikaans 2nd Language paper 1, Biology papers 1,2 and 3, Mathematics papers 1 and 2, Physical Science papers 1,2 and 3, Chemistry papers 1,2 and 3, Entrepreneurship paper 1, Business Studies papers 1 and 2, Agriculture paper 1 as well as Oshikwanyama and Oshindonga Papers 1,2 and 3.
Steenkamp, in her statement says that police investigations have revealed that more examination question papers comprising of different subjects could also be affected.
“We can reveal that the trail of investigations so far led us to understand that the source of the leakage could have been through the examination papers which were intended for the visually impaired candidates. The ministry would like to inform learners, parents and guardians and the entire public that this incident is of a serious nature, highly regrettable and it is thus receiving the highest attention it deserves. The occurrences of this nature are abominable, tantamount to academic robbery and deception and as such the Ministry condemns it in the strongest possible terms,” Steenkamp says.
It also been decided to close schools early to assist the regions to prepare for the continuation of the national examination in the 2022 school year for the affected subjects.
Steenkamp says a possible delay in the release of examination results may occur, adding that the new development will have a ripple effect on the resumption of classes for the Advanced Subsidiary (AS) level learners as well as Grade 11 learners for 2022 (the current Grade 10s).
