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Minister Gwarube Confirms Serious Exam Paper Leak at Seven Pretoria Schools
Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube has confirmed a deeply troubling breach in the integrity of the 2025 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations, revealing that pupils at seven schools in Pretoria gained access to leaked exam papers in several key subjects days before their scheduled writing dates.
Speaking during a media briefing in Cape Town on Thursday, Gwarube described the situation as a “serious violation” of the examination process and a threat to the credibility of the country’s entire assessment system. She disclosed that the compromised subjects include English Home Language (Papers 1, 2, and 3), Mathematics (Papers 1 and 2), and Physical Sciences (Papers 1 and 2) — all core subjects with high stakes for matric learners.
According to early findings, the leak appears to have originated from within the Basic Education Department itself. Investigators believe that a department official, who allegedly has a child in matric this year, received copies of the exam papers from another official who had direct access to them. Both individuals have now been placed on precautionary suspension pending further investigation.
Gwarube emphasised that the department is treating the matter with urgency and seriousness. “We cannot allow any action that undermines the fairness and integrity of the National Senior Certificate examinations. The credibility of the entire system is at stake,” she said. The Minister added that security protocols around exam papers will be thoroughly reviewed, and if necessary, strengthened to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Meanwhile, the Council for Quality Assurance in General and Further Education and Training, Umalusi, has confirmed receiving the department’s preliminary investigative report. Umalusi spokesperson Biki Lepota stated that the quality assurance body is currently analysing the findings to determine the full extent of the breach and whether additional measures — including rewriting of affected papers — may be required.
Lepota highlighted that any breach of this nature is taken “extremely seriously” as it risks invalidating the hard work of thousands of learners who wrote the exams honestly. Umalusi will also evaluate whether the leaked question papers were circulated beyond the identified schools.
This incident has sparked widespread concern among parents, teachers, and education watchdogs, many of whom have called for a thorough, transparent investigation and harsh consequences for anyone found responsible. Critics argue that repeated instances of exam leaks erode public confidence in the education system and unfairly disadvantage learners who rely on the honesty and fairness of standardized assessments.
As the investigation continues, the Department of Basic Education is expected to provide further updates, including whether any of the affected papers will need to be rewritten. For now, both the department and Umalusi have assured the public that they are committed to protecting the integrity of the NSC examinations and ensuring accountability for this breach.
More developments are expected in the coming days as the probe deepens.
