RESULTING AND CERTIFICATION IN FURTHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING COLLEGES

1. RESULTING AND CERTIFICATION IN FURTHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING COLLEGES Presentation to the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training 19 June 2013

2. Overview of National Examinations • DHET is the examining body for both Further Education and Training, and Adult Education and Training qualifications • The Department administers 9 examination cycles per academic year: • - National Certificate (Vocational) Levels 2 to 4 (2 cycles) • - Business Studies N4 to N6 (2 cycles) • Engineering Studies N1 to N6 (3 cycles) • ABET GETC Level 4 (2 cycles) • 1 500 question papers are set for the 9 examination cycles • An estimate of 3 million answer scripts being marked and processed per academic year • Servicing approximately 449 examination centres per academic year

3. Certification • There has been a backlog of certificates for NC(V) that accumulated since 2007 • This was largely due to the examination IT system that was not responsive to this qualification. The following are specific challenges related to the system: • - Instability of datasets submitted by SITA leading to high rejection levels by the quality council (Umalusi) • - Delays in rectifying errors • Submission of subject results instead of consolidated candidate records on the basis of which qualifications can be issued • Allocation of insufficient human resources for the examination system (1 programmer)

4. Certification • After several engagements with SITA the process of certification started in April 2013 • Certificates for NC(V) Level 2 candidates, i.e. main and supplementary examinations, from November 2007 to March 2012 have been issued

5. Certification • Certification for NC(V) Level 3 has commenced • Measures are being put in place to prevent a recurrence of certification backlog through the establishment of a new IT system for national examinations that will be responsive to the resulting and certification needs of the TVET sector

6. April 2013 Examination Cycle • Trimester 1 for the 2013 N1 to N6 Engineering Studies examinations were conducted from 22 March 2013 to 10 April 2013 • 144 752 Candidates participated at 321 national examination centres • Reports received from examination centres during both the conduct of the examinations , i.e. writing sessions, and the marking process indicated that irregularities had occurred during this examination cycle: • - question papers found in the possession of candidates prior to or during the writing of the subject • crib notes closely resembled question paper layout • technical errors such as students not inserting ID numbers on the answer scripts

7. April 2013 Examination Cycle • 29 Subjects were affected with 35 examination centres implicated in leakages • A decision was taken to delay the release of results at the 35 examination centres pending the outcome of investigations by the Department with a view to protect the integrity of the examinations • 211 Candidates involved in dishonest conduct linked to the leakage of examination papers led to the delay in the release of 387 844 subject results for 144 752 candidates • 19 281 Subject results affecting 4.9% of the total number of subject results, were withheld when the results were released on 24 May 2013

8. Breakdown According to Levels • N2-N3 • - 15 Question papers affected out of 78 question papers written • - 167 Candidates directly implicated, i.e. 0.17% of the 97 142 candidates that wrote the affected subjects • - Led to 14 239 (12.2%) out of 116 799 subject results being withheld across the 15 leaked subjects • N4-N6 • 14 Question papers affected out of 85 question papers written • 44 Candidates directly implicated, i.e. 0.14% of the 31 988 candidates that wrote the affected subjects • - Led to 5 042 (10.2%) out of 49 409 subject results being withheld across the 14 leaked subjects

9. Preliminary Findings • Unique identifier attached to question papers indicates that leakages happened in the external environment • Candidates and college officials at implicated centres have been interviewed • Preliminary findings: • crib notes unrelated and related to leaked question papers were found • ghost writers with invigilators implicated • candidates assisting one another • that question papers were indeed available for sale in some areas prior to writing as several candidates admitted to buying the papers but actual source still has to be identified • Some private colleges open question papers ahead of time and distribute to unregistered satellite campuses which is contrary to national policy on the conduct of examinations

10. Measures Implemented • Sanctions will be imposed on implicated students • Cases have been opened with SAPS where relevant to facilitate the prosecution of guilty parties • Principals of the implicated centres to submit a report and plan to eliminate leakages from recurring • Distribution model for question papers being revised to ensure that better control over movement and storage of question papers • Department met with the Association of Private Providers of Education, Training and Development (APPETD)to request them to play a more active role towards eradicating the examination irregularities within their sector • 2 Media releases were issued to inform the public about the extent and nature of the delayed results

11. Measures Implemented • A DHET/Unisa task team continues to explore possible ways of minimising irregularities • Department is in the process of reviewing its policies to criminalise any involvement in the leakage of question papers • The use of the unique identifier on question papers is to be expanded to identify the province, public or private college • Distribution model for question papers being revised to ensure stricter control over movement and storage of question papers once dispatched to centres • Final investigation report and a request for the release of the remaining results to be submitted to Umalusi by 21 June 2013

12. Measures Implemented • Engineering Studies candidates were allowed to register for the subject on the next level to ensure that students with outstanding results were not negatively affected from proceeding to the next level

13. Thank You