Strengthening exam integrity: SADTU’s call for enhanced security measures

As the 2025 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations approach, the South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU) has raised concerns regarding the integrity of the examination process.

With over one million learners set to write their final exams at approximately 9,400 centres, the union has urged education authorities to implement stricter security protocols to prevent potential paper leaks and ensure a fair assessment environment.

SADTU’s call comes in the wake of previous incidents where examination papers were compromised, leading to questions about the credibility of the examination system. The union emphasises the importance of safeguarding the examination process to maintain public trust and uphold academic standards.

In response to these concerns, Umalusi, the Council for Quality Assurance in General and Further Education and Training, has confirmed that the 2025 matric exams will proceed as scheduled. Umalusi’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr Mafu Rakometsi, assured the public that the body has conducted thorough audits of public and private assessment entities, including the Department of Basic Education (DBE), the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), the Independent Examinations Board (IEB), and the South African Comprehensive Assessment Institute. These audits have assessed the readiness of these entities to conduct the national exams for specific qualifications.

Dr Rakometsi noted that while some areas of concern had been identified, they would not jeopardise the integrity of the exams. Exam centres have been classified as low, medium, or high risk based on factors such as past involvement in irregularities and whether they are private centres, especially private colleges administering DHET exams or centres administering the NSC exams for the first time. To prevent exploitation of past weaknesses, Umalusi has opted not to disclose the locations of high-risk centres.

The Department of Basic Education has also reiterated its commitment to ensuring a smooth examination process. Minister Siviwe Gwarube is expected to host a press briefing on Monday, October 20, to present the state of readiness for the 2025 National Senior Certificate Examinations. The briefing will provide further details on the measures in place to uphold the integrity of the exams.

As the examination period commences, all stakeholders, learners, educators, and families are encouraged to remain vigilant and committed to maintaining the standards of the examination process. The collective effort to uphold the integrity of the NSC exams is essential in ensuring that the outcomes reflect the true capabilities and efforts of the learners.