The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has suspended three invigilators at Fezeka Secondary School, Gugulethu, who allegedly allowed learners to cheat during two Senior Certificate examinations.

The WCED is investigating the allegations after receiving a report from learners at another school.

The preliminary evidence suggests that the invigilators allowed learners to copy from textbooks and notes during examinations for the Afrikaans Second Language Paper 2 on 29 October and Economics on 31 October.

The evidence to date suggests that the alleged irregularities took place in three classrooms on the two days of the examinations.

These allegations are extremely disappointing. We view cheating in a very serious light and will act on these allegations in line with regulations governing the conduct of Senior Certificate examinations.

If the irregularities did take place, they will have compromised the integrity of the examinations in the classrooms concerned. The Irregularities Committee of the WCED will then have to decide on the appropriate sanction, after further investigation.

We are also investigating the role of the principal during and after the relevant examinations.

The WCED served notices of suspension on the three invigilators on Friday, 16 November 2007. The department will hold a disciplinary meeting with the principal and the invigilators shortly. The investigation is continuing.

For further inquiries:
Brian Schreuder
Cell: 082 373 5989

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