Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube has confirmed a breach in the 2025 National Senior Certificate exams. The incident involves 26 learners from seven schools in Pretoria who gained access to Mathematics, Physical Sciences and English Home Language papers before writing.
The irregularity was first detected by markers during the current marking process involving over 51,000 trained markers nationwide.
“Our systems did exactly what they were designed to do — detect, isolate, investigate and address manipulation of the NSC exams,”said Gwarube.
The leak originated inside its own exam-setting unit. Two employees have been suspended, one of whom has a child in Grade 12. The matter has been reported to SAPS for criminal investigation.
Exams quality assurer Umalusi has also expressed concern.
“We have received a preliminary report and are applying our quality assurance processes to determine the extent of the breach,”said spokesperson Biki Lepota.
Gwarube stressed that the breach is localised and does not affect the overall credibility of the NSC.
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