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The South African Certification Council (SAFCERT) is satisfied that this year's assessment of Grade 12 (Matric) candidates was of the appropriate standard. This applies to the level of the assessment as well as their quality countrywide.

SAFCERT is called on by law to validate both the schools' assessment of the candidates' work and the final examination written at the end of Grade 12. This is the first year that the marks of all learners will reflect both parts of the assessment process. Twelve examining bodies, nine provincial and three independent, are involved. This year's Senior Certificate results are to be released next week - Thursday, 27 December.

With regard to quality assuring school based assessment, SAFCERT used a method of statistical moderation to ensure that these scores did not deviate seriously from examination scores. The process has been successful and SAFCERT is confident that candidates have not been adversely disadvantaged or advantaged with the inclusion of continuous assessment.

As a pilot study SAFCERT has had an audit done of the continuous assessment systems and processes of the various examining bodies as well as a verification of the quality and standard of the assessments. The outcomes, it can be confidently said, have shown that providers were ready for this form of assessment and that its implementation was well underway. The examining bodies are taking pains to ensure that there is adherence to set policy. The problems that do exist, will be brought to the attention of providers.

The Council is of the opinion that the introduction of school-based assessment is a very positive step to introducing a more acceptable form of evaluation that shifts the focus from the once off and high stakes external examination. Another spin-off is that it is a tool to encourage learners to work hard continuously throughout the year.

SAFCERT finds that the integrity of the final Grade 12 examinations was not compromised, despite the irregularities that occurred during the writing of the examinations. Examinations were managed in a professional and efficient manner. The measures that were implemented by the individual examining bodies to address the irregularities were appropriate and effective. Offenders will be prosecuted and where officials are found to be negligent, they will be charged accordingly.

The extraordinary measures that the Council took to ascertain the extent of the irregularities, have brought assurance that the credibility of the examinations as a whole was not in danger.

The special audit of the irregularity reports, from both the examining bodies and the SA Police Service, has found that:

* the integrity of the examinations was not compromised;
* the extent of the irregularities was limited and confined to the candidates that have been apprehended;
* all examining bodies complied with the provisions of the law and the methods they applied were lawful, appropriate and adequate; and
* suspects have been identified and the legal processes are being implemented.

The only concern raised in the report is that the source of the leakages has not been established yet. However the police investigations are continuing.

The statistical analysis of results, another of SAFCERT's special measures, also shows that the leakages were not widespread. Although the analysis has not yet been completed, it indicates that the leakages did not spread across a province or even a particular school. The next stage of this investigation will focus on the correlation of scores of learners within specific schools.

SAFCERT instituted its own investigation into the possible manipulation of marks by a senior official on the computer system in Mpumalanga. The Council is satisfied that although this official did have access to the system, she did not influence the Senior Certificate results of 2001. Investigations are continuing on the extent to which she may have influenced or changed candidates' marks in previous years. Adequate security measures and counter-measures are in place to prevent any individual's actions to influence, change or compromise any province's results.

The reports of SAFCERT's external moderators also confirm that the standard of this year's question papers was fair and reasonable.

SAFCERT's Executive Committee this afternoon decided to certify the results.

Having considered a full report from the Accreditation Committee, the statistical measures and the reported irregularities, the Exco is satisfied that the standard of the question papers was fair and acceptable; the conduct of the examination was proper and regular; the standardisation process was appropriate; and the inclusion of the continuous assessment marks should be accepted.

The Exco is also satisfied that the irregularities were responsibly dealt with in all cases, including the serious cases of leakages, of which there is no evidence of them being widespread, thereby possibly compromising the integrity of the examination. The committee also notes the ongoing investigation to establish the source of the leakages. As a consequence of this, the Exco is satisfied that the processes were fair and credible and therefore approves the release of the results.

A report in this regard will be sent to the Minister of Education tomorrow to be followed by the announcement of the results next week.

Further information:

Dr Mokubung Nkomo, Chairperson
Prof Paul Fatti, Councillor
Dr Peliwe Lolwana, Executive Officer
Marius Kleynhans, Manager Communications, 012 - 349 1510 & 083 627 0906

Issued by the South African Certification Council, 20 December 2001