Matric pupils implicated in exam paper leak to learn fate as DBE releases interim report
Mapaballo Borotho
- The Department of Basic Education will on Friday release an interim report into last year’s NSC examination breach.
- The investigation confirmed that 26 matric pupils accessed exam papers before they were written.
- The briefing comes days ahead of the release of the 2025 matric results on 12 January 2026.
Matric pupils and education officials implicated in last year’s National Senior Certificate (NSC) examination irregularities are expected to learn their fate on Friday morning.
Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube will formally release the findings of the interim report by the National Investigative Team into the examination breach.
The investigation confirmed that 26 matric pupils accessed some 2025 examination papers before they were written.
As part of the Department of Basic Education’s (DBE) probe, the affected learners were interviewed after irregularities were detected in certain exam papers in Gauteng. The breach is alleged to have occurred at DBE offices where question papers are set.
“Friday’s briefing forms part of the department’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and safeguarding the integrity and credibility of the NSC examinations,” said DBE’s spokesperson Terence Khala.
During the briefing, Gwarube is expected to outline the investigation’s findings, key recommendations, and the department’s planned interventions to strengthen examination security and restore public confidence in the assessment system.
The announcement comes just days before the release of the 2025 matric results, which are scheduled to be made public on Monday, 12 January 2026.