A question on television soap opera characters that appeared in a Grade 9 exam has sparked an investigation by the department of basic education
According to The Star report, a question in the Grade 9 Common Task Assessment arts and culture exam asked pupils to “name two soapies that you enjoy watching and name three characters from each”.
The question was worth eight marks.
An irate mother has accused the department of discrimination, against children without access to television.
The department said it was looking into the matter and that the question was an oversight.
Ministry spokeswoman Hope Mokgatlhe said the matter was brought to Education Minister Angie Motshekga’s attention.
“Our curriculum and examinations [units] are currently looking into it,” Mokgatlhe said.
In cases where it was found that an exam question has disadvantaged pupils through no fault of their own, their marks would be adjusted, she said.