The printing of 2024 matric exam papers is under the spotlight following shocking revelations of how much the bill will come to at the end of the year. According to The Citizen, the Department of Basic Education opted to let provincial departments outsource the printing of 2024 matric exam papers.
In the past, the job would have been undertaken by the state-owned Government Printing Works (GPW). However, out of all nine provinces, only one opted to use GPW for 2024 matric exam papers. This outcome has raised serious concerns about corruption and price manipulation. But how did it happen in the first place?
2024 MATRIC EXAM PAPERS
Well, the short answer is corruption and concerns about papers being leaked by government officials ahead of time. In the past, it has been alleged that department officials were offered a lot of money to share the papers. As a result, to shore up the integrity of the 2024 exams, the costly decision was taken to engage with private printers in eight of the nine provinces.
Therefore, the cost of printing Grade 12 National Senior Certificate (NSC) and Independent Examinations Board (IEB) examination papers has ballooned from R1 billion in 2023, to a staggering R3.6 billion this year. This is according to Elijah Mhlanga of the Department of Basic Education spokesperson and the Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube, who both confirm there are 1 million full- and part-time NSC and IEB candidates writing 2024 matric exam papers.
WHY IS PRIVATE PRINTING SO EXPENSIVE?
Therefore, according to the department, it costs government roughly R4 000 per candidate to write all their 2024 matric exam papers. This takes into account printing, packing, transport, distribution, storage and security. Plus, each province has a slightly different cost arrangements with their service provider. However, reports allege that government officials appointed certain service providers to print 2024 matric exam papers to benefit themselves.
For example, in the North West province, the budget to print matric exam papers through GPW has been R8 million since 2017. However, this year a private printer will cost the province R27 million. That is a drastic increase without any feasible explanation. Likewise, Limpopo’s printing bill has jumped from R13 million with GPW, to R30 million. Gauteng has gone from spending R17 million to R36 million. Both IEB and NSC 2024 matric exam papers are being written from 21 October to 28 November 2024.
DO YOU SUSPECT SOMETHING UNTOWARD?
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