KZN Education MEC and premier unite for exam integrity

KwaZulu-Natal Education MEC Sipho Hlomuka highlighted the necessity of an integrated government strategy for maintaining the integrity and efficient execution of examination processes in the province.

This statement followed an oversight visit on Tuesday to the National Senior Certificate (NSC) examination papers printing centre in Durban.

KZN Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli and other Education Department officials were present to underscore this unity. 

MEC Hlomuka stated that they are operating as a unified government, and the premier was present. 

“Well, we are working as one government. That’s why the premier is here. We have an integrated team which includes municipalities,  CoGTA (Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs),  (and) law enforcement agencies,” Hlomuka said. 

He said they were meeting to ensure there are no exam disruptions. 

Hlomuka noted that they are also working with municipalities to ensure that if communities have issues with local government, they must not disrupt exams. 

“As I already indicated, we are working with law enforcement agencies. We are also working with the police. We do have our private security, but we are also having other security that I can’t reveal here because we are watertight with making sure no one will steal exam papers,” Hlomuka said. 

Disasters affecting certain schools did not go unnoticed. Hlomuka detailed the cooperative efforts with CoGTA, which is tasked with disaster management. 

“We do have plans to ensure that if there are schools that will be affected by disaster, we do have other options. We provide mobile classrooms and other resources that might be needed at that time,” Hlomuka said. 

“That’s why even if there’s a need sometimes to transport paper, we also use other modes of transport. I can’t reveal that here, but we are ready.” 

Hlomuka highlighted the importance of the province’s integrity. 

“We don’t want anyone who’s going to cheat, that’s why even when we visited the exam centre, we make sure that there is no one who comes with his phone inside, including the MEC, including the premier, because we are protecting the image of the province,” Hlomuka said. 

“We must protect the image of the province because if there’s a report of cheating, it won’t be the cheating for the Department of Education; it will be cheating for the provincial government.” 

Hlomuka said a comprehensive report or presentation would be presented to confirm their readiness for both internal and external examinations.

“We have plans that we have developed, and we then have experience in implementing, and we’re working with all stakeholders, including SGB (school governing body), including parents, including organised labour, and working together.” 

In closing, he appreciated the work done by teachers. 

“They’ve done everything, then the ball is now with the learners, but we must also appreciate our parents who have been motivating our learners to go and study and listen to our educators,” Hlomuka said. 

Premier Ntuli stated that they aimed to confirm the province’s readiness for the upcoming matric examinations. They sought to ensure KwaZulu-Natal was prepared to deliver a high-quality examination process that met their envisioned standards.

“We are quite happy that the MEC for Education in KwaZulu-Natal has arranged for us to be part of his visit, and as the Office of the Premier, so that we are all in fact in a position of confidence,” Ntuli said. 

In his message to pupils and schools, Ntuli said they must get ready, adding that exams will start in a few days; therefore, they must use the last opportunity to prepare. They should also use the resources at their disposal that will benefit and help them perform better in the exams. 

“We are wishing the matriculants, not only the matriculants, but all learners who will be writing examinations this year, a successful examination,” Ntuli said. 

Tuesday marks 14 days to go for the 2025 final NSC exams. 

thobeka.ngema@inl.co.za