SADTU: Stop matric exam leaks

The South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU) has urged education authorities to tighten security ahead of the 2025 National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams to prevent paper leaks.

The 2025 NSC exams begin on Tuesday and SADTU called on communities to avoid disrupting the critical phase in academic life.

SADTU also wished all candidates sitting for the 2025 NSC exams the best of luck.

The union said: “To the learners, we say: remain disciplined and avoid any conduct that could jeopardise your chances of obtaining that all-important National Senior Certificate. Believe in your abilities, stay focused, and finish strong.

“To our teachers, we call on you to continue displaying professionalism and integrity as you invigilate and mark these examinations.”

SADTU added: “We urge provincial departments of education and schools to strengthen security measures to prevent any examination paper leaks, as such incidents compromise the integrity and credibility of the entire examination process.

“We appeal to communities to ensure that roads leading to schools are not blockaded during community protests and that school transport services operate smoothly so that learners can arrive safely and on time."

Despite concerns over potential irregularities and cheating, Umalusi, the education quality assurance body, has given the go-ahead for the 2025 matric exams.

More than one million learners are expected to write their end-of-year exams at about 9,400 examination centres starting on Tuesday.

Addressing the media in Pretoria last week, Umalusi chief executive Dr Mafu Rakometsi confirmed the body’s readiness to oversee the examination process. 

He said that while some areas of concern had been identified, they would not jeopardise the integrity of the exams.

The body conducted an audit assessing the readiness 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, to conduct the 2025 national exams for specific qualifications.

According to Umalusi, exam centres have been classified as low, medium, or high risk based on factors such as past involvement in irregularities, whether they are private centres - especially private colleges administering DHET exams or centres administering the NSC exams for the first time.

Rakometsi said the body would not disclose the location of the high-risk centres to prevent exploitation of their past weaknesses.