‘Leak of maths paper untrue’

The Department of Basic Education has said a letter in circulation claiming a maths exam paper had been leaked was fake and not issued by the department.

The department confirmed that no examination paper had been leaked, reports The Mercury.

“In the fake letter, headed ‘notice of illegal distribution of matric final examination’, the writer states that a math question was leaked,” said department spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga.

“This information is false. While the so-called circular has our logo, it has no address, contact details or the name of the author. It is clearly designed to cause confusion.”

The letter claims a math paper was leaked in the Eastern Cape and so would have to be rewritten.

The department said it had not opened a criminal case as the source of the hoax letter was not clear.

While some matric pupils started writing two weeks ago, the exams began in earnest for most with English paper 1 and mathematics paper 1 last week.

On Monday, pupils wrote mathematics paper 2, mathematical literacy 2 and technical mathematics 2 from 9am. Some candidates wrote visual arts in the afternoon.

Mhlanga said the department viewed the misleading communication seriously.

“It has the potential to cause confusion and anxiety among Grade 12 pupils writing their examinations.

“We urge parents, teachers, pupils and department officials to ignore the fake letter and stay focused on the job at hand,” said Mhlanga.

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