‘Cheat’ charge follows SA pupil to Russia
Medical scholarship in jeopardy as matric certificates withheld from 104 pupils
● The future of a 19-year-old medical student studying in Russia hangs in the balance after the department that awarded him a scholarship to study overseas is now accusing him of being a matric cheat.
The former pupil from Moses Mnisi High School near Acornhoek, Mpumalanga, who left SA in July to study medicine at Tambov State University in Russia, was among 104 pupils who were found guilty of copying in an English exam last year.
Emmanuel Mashaba, who denies cheating, was awarded 62% in the subject but was told in January when he went to collect his results that he and 103 others had produced similar answers in two questions.
All 104 pupils pleaded not guilty to cheating during hearings that took place this year.
In an e-mailed response from Russia, Mashaba said he was not prepared to rewrite the English papers because he had not cheated.
Months after he was first accused of cheating in the English exam, Mashaba was awarded the scholarship.
The Mpumalanga education MEC, Sibusiso Malaza, told Mashaba in a letter congratulating him on being selected: “It is our hope that you will use this opportunity to the best of your ability.”
Now his university has asked him to submit a copy of his matric certificate by the end of the year.
“I am feeling lost right now. How can I concentrate in class while knowing that I can be kicked out at any time? It is hard for me and the thought of coming back to SA without my degree breaks my heart.”
Lodged appeal
He is among 44 students whose medical studies are being subsidised by the Mpumalanga education department to the tune of R124m over seven years.
Mpumalanga education head of department Mahlasedi Mhlabane wrote to lawyers representing the 104 pupils in a letter dated September 17, informing them that their results for the English paper had been “nullified”. They were told they could rewrite English in the October/November exams, which started on Monday.
The affected pupils, who attended a meeting at the school on Monday, have vowed not to rewrite English because they say they did not cheat.
Through their lawyer, the pupils lodged an appeal against the sanction with the department.
The chairman of Moses Mnisi’s governing body, Never Nthane, said parents were “shocked” by the allegation that pupils had copied.
“We were shocked because normally when there are irregularities found during marking, the principal is called immediately. In our case, no-one was called,” said Nthane.
“Our pupils are hard-working and committed. They even camp at the school for weeks before the exams.”
He said at least five of the 104 students are enrolled at the University of South Africa and one at the University of Venda.
“It will destroy their future if the department does not consider the appeal,” he said.
The school had a 100% pass rate in 2016 and last year only one pupil failed.
Nthane said a departmental official had monitored pupils writing the paper on the day in question. He said they were only informed of the outcome of the hearings through Mhlabane’s letter on October 4.
“How was the department expecting these pupils to write the October exams, which started this week, when they only informed us of the outcome on October 4? Where was the time for pupils to prepare?” Nthane asked.
Severe sanction
According to the department’s letter, pupils wishing to rewrite English had to register by September 28.
A senior teacher at the school said the cheating scandal was “disturbing”. “We are not well-focused this year because of this thing,” said the teacher. “We are finding it very hard to motivate our current grade 12 learners.”
The teacher questioned why the department awarded a scholarship to one of the pupils to study in Russia knowing he was among the 104 implicated pupils.
Lucky Ditaunyane, spokesperson for exams watchdog body Umalusi, said the 104 pupils would not receive their matric certificates at this stage.
“Council will take that decision at the approval meeting in December after considering all matters concerning the investigation and the outcome.
“The sanction may be more severe for those who are found to be the main culprits. It ranges from a one- to three-year suspension.”
Mpumalanga education spokesperson Jasper Zwane said that since Mashaba had been found guilty, “all that he benefited from will be discontinued by the department”.
Asked why Mashaba was awarded a bursary in the first place, he said: “There is nothing out of the ordinary in awarding a bursary or being admitted to any institution since at that time the issue was still to be investigated.”
How can I concentrate in class while knowing that I can be kicked out at any time? The thought of coming back to SA without my degree breaks my heart Emmanuel Mashaba
Former matric pupil