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On Tuesday, the 22nd of February 1999, I received a preliminary report from the South African Certification Council (SAFCERT) on the conduct of the 1998 Senior Certificate examinations in the Mpumalanga provincial Department of Education. The report was commissioned by SAFCERT in accordance with its statutory obligations to moderate provincial examinations prior to the issuing of certificates.

At the outset, I wish to state that the collaboration between the Ministry of Education and SAFCERT in dealing as quickly as possible with this matter belies suggestions that the Ministry is attempting to muzzle SAFCERT or that it is at loggerheads with the body that advises the Minister of Education on matters relating to the certification of the Senior Certificate examinations.

The report followed on two emergency meetings of the Council of SAFCERT at which the Council was provided with reviews of three separate and randomly selected samples of over 1,200 examination scripts. Each of these reviews concluded similarly that there was prima facie evidence that irregularities had occurred in the computation of the marks of individual candidates, and that this must have led to the remarkable improvement in the overall results of the Mpumalanga Department of Education over the previous year.

On the basis of the report, and its implications for the integrity of the Mpumalanga and the national examinations system, and following consultations with the Deputy President, the Premier of Mpumalanga Province and the Member of the Executive Council responsible for education in the province, I have decided to take the following actions.

The Further Education and Training Act requires the Director-General of the national Department of Education, as the responsible authority, to promote quality assurance within the further education and training band. SAFCERT is responsible for the certification process of qualifications as is prescribed by the South African Certification Council Act. It is therefore important to institute an investigation under the authority of the Director-General to ensure that the integrity of the education system and the rights of individual candidates are protected to the extent possible in the circumstances.

Accordingly, a judge will be appointed to take judicial oversight over all investigations and processes relating to impending investigations by both the South African Police Service and SAFCERT. It will be the responsibility of the judge to ensure that a fair and just outcome is arrived at with respect to both individual candidates and the integrity of the national system.

The Department of Education will also lay a charge with the South African Police Service on the basis of prima facie evidence recorded in the SAFCERT report. The national Commissioner of Police will be requested to give urgent attention to this matter. The investigation by the SAPS will be undertaken parallel to the work to be undertaken by the SAFCERT Council.

SAFCERT will, by the end of March 1999, provide a complete professional reconciliation of the results of individual candidates for proper certification purposes.

The Department of Education will immediately assume overall responsibility for the monitoring of the entire 1999 supplementary examination that is now underway. A decision with respect to the 1999 year-end Senior Certificate examinations will be taken on the completion of the report by the appointed judge.

May I make an appeal to all interested parties, including political parties, to ensure that the processes and investigations announced today are given adequate room for their proper and speedy completion.

For further information contact Bheki Khumalo at 082 781 2660 or 021 457 350

ISSUED BY THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
25 FEBRUARY 1999

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