Media Release
Minister of Education Debbie Schäfer
Western Cape

15 October, 2015

Minister Schäfer cautions Grade 12 learners against cheating in the upcoming NSC examinations.

Statement by Minister Debbie Schäfer, Minister of Education

'Once a person cheats in an exam, people will forever mistrust him.' ~ Indonesian Proverb

On Monday 19th October 2015, thousands of candidates will begin writing the 2015 NSC examinations.

Tomorrow, NSC candidates in the Western Cape will be taking part in a voluntary pledge signing ceremony that shows their commitment to comply with all rules and regulations relevant to the NSC exams.

The pledge states that the candidate will uphold the principles of honesty and integrity in the examination by:

1. Complying with all the rules and regulations relevant to the National Senior Certificate examination

2. Following the instructions of the invigilator during the writing of the examination

3. Not being influenced, in anyway, to cheat in the examination

4. Not participating in any wrongdoing which includes, but not limited to: copying, being in possession of unauthorized material or electronic devices, accepting or providing assistance to another candidate, writing on behalf of another candidate or any other unauthorized action

5. Reporting any form of wrongdoing that I am aware of to the school principal.

The WCED has employed 2 698 invigilators at the 442 exam centres. Part of their duties is to check whether candidates are adhering to the NSC rules and regulations.

I should like to take this opportunity to caution all candidates writing against cheating in these examinations. Cheating can result in serious consequences such as being banned from writing the NSC for up to three years.

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

When the candidate's results are declared null and void, the result for the specific subject is marked as irregular but the candidate will receive results for the other subjects as well as a letter informing the candidate about the irregularity that occurred and the sanction imposed.

The candidate will not receive a National Senior Certificate until she/he re-writes the subject and applies for a combination of results

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.

Simply put - cheating is not a mistake, it is a choice!

Learners have spent at least twelve years at school and should not risk throwing all this away by choosing to use irregular means to pass the examinations.

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 an increase in numbers passing this year.

I would like to encourage all our candidates for the 2014 NSC examinations to stay focused and to put in the hard work required to prepare for the upcoming examinations.

I wish all the Grade 12's the best of luck.

Media enquiries:
Jessica Shelver
Spokesperson for the Minister of Education, Debbie Schäfer
Western Cape Education Department
Tel: 076 175 0663