The only confirmed leakage was the Accounting paper in the Gauteng Education Department. All rumours that the 1996 matric examinations will be declared invalid should be laid to rest. There is no cause for alarm. The investigation revealed that four provinces use security firms for distribution, while in the others papers are either delivered or collected on a daily or periodic basis. Only one province stores papers at schools which have the necessary strongrooms.
All provinces have monitoring teams in place to investigate irregularities.
THe conducting of matric examinations is the full responsibility of provincial education departments under the National Education Policy Act, but there is a spirit of co-operation on matters of significant interest. The National Education Ministry is responsible only for monitoring the examination process. Since the beginning of this year a process of monitoring has taken place through the Heads of Education Departments Committee as well as the Council of Education Ministers. I was informed through these structures that exam preparations were adequate and that, where necessary, measures had been undertaken to resolve problems. I regret any inconvenience or upset caused to candidates,but wish to assure them that everything possible being done to speedily address problem areas.