'Human factor to blame for exam cheats'

The Department of Basic Education (DBE) blames the leaking of question papers on devious behaviour and not an inadequate security system.

This week Limpopo was hit by a question paper leak scandal in the Mopani district area where the Grade 12 mathematics paper 2 was discovered to be making the rounds among pupils, resulting in an investigation by the Hawks.

The department had to quarantine Grade 12 mathematics scripts from the circuit after the leak was apparently picked up by an invigilator who noticed some pupils behaving strangely during the exam session.

The department had introduced an automated system to guard against security breaches following a similar incident involving a life sciences question paper in the Vhembe district last year.

DBE spokesman Elijah Mhlanga yesterday said there was nothing wrong with the security system, adding that the "human factor" was the major problem.

He said even though there were systems in place it was people who created the problem. In this case someone took photographs of the question paper and shared it.

Mhlanga said they were making gains in the case and had gathered more information through telephone records and interviews.

Last year the leaked question paper spread to other provinces. Mhlanga, however, said they were confident the situation had been contained.

He said they were still trying to ascertain how many examination centres were affected but were certain the leak was not widespread.

He added that the information already gathered was handed over to the Hawks.

Hawks spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Netshiunda confirmed they were investigating a fraud case and would push to make arrests soon.