A group of Libode youths whose lives are on hold due to being implicated in a 2014 matric copying scandal demanded action from education authorities yesterday.
The group were pupils at Nzululwazi Finishing School and Sandi, Gxaba, Phangalele and Smuts Ndamase secondary schools.
The investigation was carried out by Umalusi, the body responsible for the quality assurance of matric exams, and the Department of Basic Education (DBE).
The youths descended on provincial headquarters in Zwelitsha to complain about the slow progress of the release of their 2014 matric results.
The Daily Dispatch learned that those who sat for supplementary exams did not get their results either.
Eastern Cape education department spokesman Loyiso Pulumani referred questions to their national department, saying: “You will note that throughout this saga, our communication has been centralised through our colleagues at DBE in Pretoria.”
DBE spokesman Elijah Mhlanga had not responded to questions at the time of writing.
Umalusi spokesman Lucky Ditaunyane said the investigation into the group copying had been completed. “These schools took the department to court. We will have to wait for the outcome of the legal matter.”
Ngubezulu High teacher Khanyisa Line said 37 pupils were affected by the group copying allegations.
“These were all physical science and were bright. It shocked us. I don’t know what these pupils have done to deserve this.”
Line said what shocked the school most was that an official from Umalusi told pupils last year that a mistake had been made. “The official told our pupils that this information must not be shared with anyone.”
Dituanyane disputed this, saying it was against Umalusi procedure.
“In terms of procedure it will not be in order for an Umalusi official to talk to pupils. It’s education officials that go to schools. Umalusi only ensures that the process of investigation is fair and quality assures it.”
Another teacher from Khayalethu Bilitani said 13 pupils, who also wrote physics, were affected.
“This also affected the morale of teachers. We could not believe it. We were traumatised.”
Nontsikelelo Mphehlo said this affected the plans of her son, Nqaba, whose results have been withheld along with others at Nzululwazi.
“My son studied there to improve his physics. He is too stressed. He sleeps the whole day and I’m worried that he will start getting involved in crime and drugs here in Phola Park township in Dimbaza.”
A pupil at Ngubezulu, Asanele Ntlombe, said his plan to further his studies to be a pharmacist were dashed. “I don’t know what I should do right now. I’m doing house chores for now.”
At Zwelitsha Equal Education provincial chairman Lumkile Zani said the organisation had calmed down the angry pupils.
“These children are really angry and I just hope that education will resolve this matter,” he said.
Pupils named in 2014 exam copying row demand action
The group were pupils at Nzululwazi Finishing School and Sandi, Gxaba, Phangalele and Smuts Ndamase secondary schools.
The investigation was carried out by Umalusi, the body responsible for the quality assurance of matric exams, and the Department of Basic Education (DBE).
The youths descended on provincial headquarters in Zwelitsha to complain about the slow progress of the release of their 2014 matric results.
The Daily Dispatch learned that those who sat for supplementary exams did not get their results either.
Eastern Cape education department spokesman Loyiso Pulumani referred questions to their national department, saying: “You will note that throughout this saga, our communication has been centralised through our colleagues at DBE in Pretoria.”
DBE spokesman Elijah Mhlanga had not responded to questions at the time of writing.
Umalusi spokesman Lucky Ditaunyane said the investigation into the group copying had been completed. “These schools took the department to court. We will have to wait for the outcome of the legal matter.”
Ngubezulu High teacher Khanyisa Line said 37 pupils were affected by the group copying allegations.
“These were all physical science and were bright. It shocked us. I don’t know what these pupils have done to deserve this.”
Line said what shocked the school most was that an official from Umalusi told pupils last year that a mistake had been made. “The official told our pupils that this information must not be shared with anyone.”
Dituanyane disputed this, saying it was against Umalusi procedure.
“In terms of procedure it will not be in order for an Umalusi official to talk to pupils. It’s education officials that go to schools. Umalusi only ensures that the process of investigation is fair and quality assures it.”
Another teacher from Khayalethu Bilitani said 13 pupils, who also wrote physics, were affected.
“This also affected the morale of teachers. We could not believe it. We were traumatised.”
Nontsikelelo Mphehlo said this affected the plans of her son, Nqaba, whose results have been withheld along with others at Nzululwazi.
“My son studied there to improve his physics. He is too stressed. He sleeps the whole day and I’m worried that he will start getting involved in crime and drugs here in Phola Park township in Dimbaza.”
A pupil at Ngubezulu, Asanele Ntlombe, said his plan to further his studies to be a pharmacist were dashed. “I don’t know what I should do right now. I’m doing house chores for now.”
At Zwelitsha Equal Education provincial chairman Lumkile Zani said the organisation had calmed down the angry pupils.
“These children are really angry and I just hope that education will resolve this matter,” he said.
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