Matric results delayed for 1 500 KZN pupils

About 1 500 pupils in KwaZulu-Natal have not received their 2008 matric results due to cheating and technical irregularities, the provincial education department said on Wednesday.

Spokesperson Mbali Thusi said of the total, nearly 1 000 had not received their results due to technical irregularities such as pupils writing subjects for which they had not registered, and candidates who failed to write their examination numbers on their scripts.

“Some wrote cellphone numbers. We are investigating these cases.

There are also candidates who failed to produce proof that they had registered to write the exam but demanded to sit for [the exam],” she said.

All irregularities were expected to be finalised by January 30.

Those caught cheating have been asked to submit evidence and statements, and those found with crib notes were being investigated, said Thusi.

She denied media reports that 17 000 KZN matric pupils had not received their results.

Meanwhile, at least 98,5% of textbooks had been delivered to non-section 21 schools throughout the province before the start of school on January 21.

Section 21 schools manage their own finances, while the department is responsible for the finances of non-section 21 schools.

Ina Cronje, the province’s education minister, said the delivery of textbooks had jumped from 40% in 2006 to 80% in 2007 and 95% in 2008 to 98,5% delivery for the 2009 academic year.

She said it had surpassed the department’s own target.

“The department’s commitment to providing quality education is clearly visible in its efforts and the strides made over the past four years to ensure that all learners in non-section 21 schools have their textbooks and stationery before or on the first day of school,” she said. - Sapa