Learners implicated in group copying will be dealt with sympathetically when it comes to sanctions‚ but principals‚ teachers and invigilators can expect no such leniency.
The department of basic education said on Thursday that it had been “working tirelessly to finalise the on-going investigations into group copying”.
“The hearings have been completed in 50% of the implicated centres in the Eastern Cape and are currently underway in KwaZulu-Natal‚” the department said‚ adding that these “will be finalised by the end of this month”.
“The department has no intention to prevent implicated learners from completing their schooling indefinitely; we want these learners to go on to have a bright future‚” the statement said.
Those found guilty can be excluded from writing the examinations for a period of three years. But‚ the department said “even one year is a long period of time in the life of a child”.
“While we want to teach these learners a valuable lesson and create a strong deterrent from future participation in such behaviour‚ we will also be sympathetic in our approach to the learners and in each case the sanction will be determined by the merits of the case‚” the department said.
“However principals‚ teachers and invigilators implicated will face full disciplinary action as they should be more responsible and should be setting a positive example for those entrusted in their tutorship.”
The department did‚ however‚ raise concern about incidents in which “learners engaged in violent protests‚ where cars have been damaged; officials have been locked out of the venue‚ and in another case they were locked in at the venue‚ all in an attempt to intimidate those conducting the hearings”.
“This kind of behaviour will not be tolerated and law enforcement authorities will be called in to deal with rogue elements perpetuating the violence.”
Some hearings will be moved from certain venues to more secure locations
To prevent a repeat of group copying‚ examination centres will now be categorised into three risk categories‚ on which their invigilation procedure will be determined:
- High Risk Centres will be administered fully by the province or district.
- Medium Risk Centres will have a full-time resident monitor placed at the centre.
- Low Risk Centres will be administered by the school with a roving monitor.
Group copying learners may be dealt with softly
Learners implicated in group copying will be dealt with sympathetically when it comes to sanctions‚ but principals‚ teachers and invigilators can expect no such leniency.
The department of basic education said on Thursday that it had been “working tirelessly to finalise the on-going investigations into group copying”.
“The hearings have been completed in 50% of the implicated centres in the Eastern Cape and are currently underway in KwaZulu-Natal‚” the department said‚ adding that these “will be finalised by the end of this month”.
“The department has no intention to prevent implicated learners from completing their schooling indefinitely; we want these learners to go on to have a bright future‚” the statement said.
Those found guilty can be excluded from writing the examinations for a period of three years. But‚ the department said “even one year is a long period of time in the life of a child”.
“While we want to teach these learners a valuable lesson and create a strong deterrent from future participation in such behaviour‚ we will also be sympathetic in our approach to the learners and in each case the sanction will be determined by the merits of the case‚” the department said.
“However principals‚ teachers and invigilators implicated will face full disciplinary action as they should be more responsible and should be setting a positive example for those entrusted in their tutorship.”
The department did‚ however‚ raise concern about incidents in which “learners engaged in violent protests‚ where cars have been damaged; officials have been locked out of the venue‚ and in another case they were locked in at the venue‚ all in an attempt to intimidate those conducting the hearings”.
“This kind of behaviour will not be tolerated and law enforcement authorities will be called in to deal with rogue elements perpetuating the violence.”
Some hearings will be moved from certain venues to more secure locations
To prevent a repeat of group copying‚ examination centres will now be categorised into three risk categories‚ on which their invigilation procedure will be determined:
- High Risk Centres will be administered fully by the province or district.
- Medium Risk Centres will have a full-time resident monitor placed at the centre.
- Low Risk Centres will be administered by the school with a roving monitor.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos