MEC punts ‘no cheating’ matric pledge
TO ENSURE the National Senior Certificate (NSC) exam system is foolproof and prohibits cheating, Education MEC Debbie Schäfer visited matrics at Fisantekraal High School to appeal to their consciences and encourage the signing of an anti-cheating pledge.
The matrics, who start their exams in less than 10 days, were urged to sign the voluntary pledge, which states that they will uphold the principles of honesty in the exams, comply with all the rules and instructions, and not be influenced to cheat.
The pledge will be distributed to candidates across the province.
“I must caution all candidates against cheating. Cheating can result in serious consequences, such as being banned from writing the NSC for up to three years. Learners have spent at least 12 years at school and should not risk throwing all this away.
“You are only cheating yourself: cheating yourself out of your future. The results of a candidate found with crib notes or carrying any electronic devices can be declared null and void,” said Schäfer.
Last year, 17 candidates were disqualified in the Western Cape for having either crib notes or electronic devices during their exams.
Schäfer warned that candidates who cheated would not receive an NSC until they rewrote the subject. Those disqualified faced being banned from writing for up to three years, affecting their future study plans and opportunities.
In addition to the pledge and 1000 school invigilators, the Western Cape Education Department has appointed an additional 1273 invigilators at the 457 exam centres.
Part of their duties is to check whether candidates are adhering to the NSC rules and regulations.
Fisantekraal principal Leopold Vries said no learner at their school would be allowed notes or devices into the exam room, and encouraged the learners to use their time wisely to revise their work.
Said Schäfer: “I sincerely hope we will not have to disqualify any candidates this year. I encourage all our candidates to stay focused and to put in the hard work required to prepare for the exams. I wish all the Grade 12s the best of luck.”