Examiners may need police clearance

Education expert Graeme Bloch says the new regulations should ensure greater uniformity during examinations. Image: PixMule

The Department of Basic Education this week published its draft regulations, which have extended the clearances to all officials working in the examination sections.

Spokesman Elijah Mhlanga said the clearances comprised security background checks and interviews while the police clearance would check for criminal records. "These checks are needed to assess the trustworthiness of officials," he said.

"Both are important and exams are a high-risk area. The aim is to prevent any leakages," Mhlanga added.

Leaked papers have in the past raised concerns over the quality of security surrounding the matric exams, which saw the introduction of bar-coded papers last year.

Education expert Graeme Bloch said the new regulations could be seen as an attempt by the department to ensure uniformity throughout the nine provinces.

Better controls, fewer leaks

Said Bloch: "Hopefully this will prevent future leaks and fraud. But regulations won't necessarily stop people from making a quick buck at the expense of pupils."

Pressure from universities to shorten the length of time it takes to re-marked scripts compelled the department to shorten the period from 21 days to 14.

Other draft regulations include the exclusion of Life Orientation as part of the "six best subjects" used to select matric pupils with top marks.

No appeals or outcome of supplementary exam results will be considered for the category of top pupils.

Mhlanga said that this has always been the practice, but not part of the regulations. "We are adding clout to the existing practice."

Source: The Times via I-Net Bridge