Media Release
Minister of Education Donald Grant
Western Cape

22 October, 2013

Minister Grant cautions NSC candidates against cheating.

Statement by Minister Donald Grant, Minister of Education, Western Cape

With less than a week to go before the National Senior Certificate examinations, I would like to appeal to all candidates to exercise their minds by using every available opportunity to study both in the remaining days before their first examination, as well as during the exams.

Candidates have large amounts of additional study material at their disposal to use during this period, including the new matric resource site (wced.school.za). I encourage them to go through as many exam papers as they can, especially in subjects in which they have been struggling.

This period is critical for our candidates and we ask that their family and community networks support each candidate during this time.

Candidates needing counseling or advice on stress can call our Safe Schools call centre on 0800 45 46 47 for advice on how to deal with anxiety and how to stay motivated.

The WCED has provided candidates with the rules and regulations pertaining to these examinations.

Candidates are encouraged to ensure they are familiar with all the applicable times and rules for their examinations.

In particular, I should like to take this opportunity to caution all candidates writing the 2013 National Senior Certificate examinations that cheating will result in serious consequences.

In 2012, 17 candidates were disqualified due to irregularities in the NSC.

9 of these candidates were in possession of a cell phone, 3 were found unlawfully using a cellphone during the exams and 5 were in possession of unauthorized material/crib notes.

Willful cheating is a serious offence and the penalties, as per the NSC Regulations, are severe.

The results of a candidate found with crib notes or carrying any electronic devices can be declared null and void.

Disqualified learners can be banned from writing the examination for between one and three years. This will have obvious effects on the candidate's future study plans and opportunities.

Put simply - Cheating is not worth it!

Learners have spent at least twelve years at school and should not risk throwing all this away by using irregular means.

Last Friday, matric candidates were asked to sign a pledge to do their best, to focus on their studies, support peers and comply with all rules and regulations relevant to the exams.

These regulations include obeying invigilators and not participating in any wrongdoing, for example, trying to bring unauthorised materials or electronic devices, including cell phones, into the exam centre.

The WCED has employed 1 200 invigilators at the 432 exam centres. Part of their duties is to check whether candidates are adhering to the NSC rules and regulations.

Invigilators will check whether candidates are wearing headphones or carrying cell phones, or other devices and materials.

Appropriate staff will ask learners to remove head gear if necessary, and to check whether or not they are concealing head phones or other devices under long hair.

I sincerely hope that we will not have to disqualify any candidates this year.

Instead, I would like to see improved results, quality passes and increase pass numbers by all our candidates this year.

I look forward to the release of the results at schools on 7 January next year!

For enquiries, contact Bronagh Casey:  072 724 1422 or bronagh.casey@westerncape.gov.za.

Media enquiries:
Bronagh Casey
Spokesperson for the Minister of Education, Donald Grant
Western Cape Education Department
Tel: 021 467 2377
Fax: 072 724 1422