Image Source: News24
Local – Education Attorney at SECTION27, Thato Gaffane, said it’s been two years since 50 former matric learners from Baphutheng Senior Secondary School in Limpopo have been unable to access their results due to cheating allegations.
The students were accused of group copying in their 2024 business studies examinations after marking centres noted similarities in their essay answers.
The accusation stemmed from a misunderstanding of how teachers, at the under-resourced school, worked around a lack of textbooks, teachers, and proper classrooms. Educators used songs and recitation to help learners retain information.
“They taught learners through songs, through recitation and some techniques of repetition, and because of how they were taught, so they were taught in a form of a song. When they wrote their matric exams, they reproduced that song.”
Gaffane said the disciplinary process violated procedural and substantive fairness. Learners were questioned using irregular techniques, with some being falsely told that previous students had admitted to cheating.
The process denied students a chance to defend themselves properly. The impact has been severe. Beyond losing access to further education or employment, learners have struggled with the stigma of the accusations.
“We’ve heard a number of learners who have unfortunately attempted suicide during this time because they simply just cannot stand the stigma that’s attached to someone who’s attempted to defraud the system or someone who attempted to get by in an unlawful manner.”
Gauteng Placement Crisis Deepens
Gauteng has seen nearly 5,000 grade 1 and grade 8 learners remain unplaced in the second week of the academic year, concentrated in high-pressure districts like Tshwane and Johannesburg. Parents have been queuing outside schools searching for placement as classes continue without their children.
Gaffane blamed the department’s lack of preparation. The department has Home Affairs data showing how many children will enter the system, but it fails to use it for planning.
“We’re dealing with a lack of schools, we simply just don’t have enough schools to accommodate all the learners… everything can be categorised under the umbrella of lack of preparedness.”
