The Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training began its week-long oversight visit to Pretoria with a short visit to the examinations and administration units at the Department of Higher Education and Training.
The Committee was taken through the units and experienced first-hand how examination processes are administered, from setting the papers right through to issuing of statements of symbols and certificates.
A representative of the Department said leaks of examination papers and irregularities were a challenge and that such incidents have increased recently. A process is followed when a student is found cheating during an exam, which can end with the qualification being withheld.
The Committee heard that the Department administers nine examination cycles in a year, unlike the Department of Basic Education, which administers two. The challenge with the certificates backlog has been dealt with and was reduced from over 200 000 to 156. The Department representative said operational challenges include using a system that is more than 30 years old.
Members asked questions about exam paper leaks, the causes of certificates backlogs and departmental procedures for investigations. The Acting Chairperson of the Committee, Mr Danny Kekana, said the certificates backlog was creating a bad image of the administration.
“The previous government never had such challenges. If one student passed, he or she should simply get the certificate. They need these certificates to continue with their lives,” Mr Kekana said.
The Committee also visited the State Information Technology Agency (Sita), where it heard that the system used to store data from 57 government departments was complex. Members what to know if Sita had the capacity to keep the certificates backlogs at zero and what plans were in place to address information technology challenges.
“Coming from a history where many never had opportunities, we should move to guarantee opportunities to all, and people should have access to qualifications,” Mr Kekana said.
He urged Sita to keep up the good work,, saying the problems were not insurmountable.
Today, the Committee will visit the Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University in Garankuwa.
Sibongile Maputi
2 August 2017
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