WhatsApp leak: exam results withheld

Exam watchdog Umalusi is withholding the results of eight subjects written by students in public and private training colleges.

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Durban - Exam watchdog Umalusi is withholding the results of eight subjects written by students in public and private training colleges around the country last month, while a probe into the alleged leaking of exam papers via Whatsapp is being conducted.

Students at technical and vocational education and training colleges enrolled for a national technical education course in any of the following subjects will not have their results released until the investigation is complete:

- Electrical trade theory (level two).

- Electro-technology (level three).

- Engineering drawing (level three).

- Engineering science (levels one, two and three).

- Fitting and machining theory (level two).

- Industrial electronics (levels two and three).

- Mathematics (levels two and three).

- Mechanotechnology (level three).

The colleges where alleged irregularities were detected, and which in the meantime are barred from releasing results, include:

- The Johannesburg campus of the Academy of Business and Computer College.

- City View Business College (Johannesburg, Bloemfontein and Cape Town).

- Crane International Academy (Witbank and Secunda).

- The Brits campus of Rock of Springs.

- The Polokwane campus of Shepperd Academy.

The exam breach extended to 25 subjects, but Umalusi is only responsible for approving national technical education courses from levels one to three.

Umalusi spokesman Lucky Ditaunyane said the results of these subjects had been severely compromised, and did not meet Umalusi’s requirements for a fair and credible exam.

The Higher Education Department has branded the leaking of the exam papers “criminal”.

Department director-general Gwebs Qonde said that to release results when exam paper leaks were suspected would be “highly irresponsible”.

“The department wishes to reiterate that it views these irregularities in a serious light and criminal in nature, and will do everything within its power to safeguard the integrity of the national examination.

“Collaboration with stakeholders has led to the arrests of perpetrators and suspension of students found guilty of these offences in the past,” Qonde said. “The department appeals to the public, including lecturers and students, to actively contribute to its efforts to eradicate this scourge.”

The Mercury