Private school secretary Salom Hango (31) and the 17-year-old Grade 9 *pupil, who together allegedly stole examination question papers and memoranda, will not escape the wrath of the law.
This was revealed by the executive director of education, arts and culture, Sanet Steenkamp, in conversation with Desert Radio yesterday.
She said the charges in the case would involve other education officicers, including the principal of the affected school, who reported the matter.
“There are normal examination malpractice processes that we follow in terms of regulations and standards and they will take their course.
“I am glad that the law is already taking its course and that the internal investigations are already concluded. The school will be held accountable and will have to oversee the process of charging the teacher.”
Steenkamp said the heads of the invigilators and examinations at the school would also be charged.
“It is a process we will see through, and it will probably be concluded when we have the first examination board meeting in March 2024.
“We will then decide to constitute other disciplinary actions, which may include the principal. This is because they have been very complacent about the safety of the examination material,” she said.
Hango and the pupil were arrested on Monday after it came to light that they allegedly stole national and regional examination papers and memorandums.
Both were granted bail in an amount of N$1 000 by the Outapi Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.
Their case was postponed to 26 February, and the pupil was released under parental care.
COURTSHIP
It has, however, emerged through the school’s investigation that the secretary and the pupil have allegedly been involved in a romantic relationship and have a child together.
Steenkamp said this was discovered by two teachers at the school.
“They actually detected in the first semester that she performed exceptionally well, despite the fact that she was at home expecting a baby.
“Also, seeing her use of punctuation made them realise she definitely had access to a memo,” she said.
Steenkamp said pupils write exams on six subjects, with question papers and memoranda distributed to the regions.
It is up to the regions to find central points where these examination papers are copied under the leadership of education and administration officers, she said.
“These are the processes, and they are credible. I must also put it to you that this is a private school.
“Private schools have requested the ministry to also have access to their question papers, and we said yes, on condition that they exercise the same strict control measures we in the government aspire to and work towards,” Steenkamp said.
EXAM PAPER SECURITY
She said despite this isolated case, the security around exam papers is strict.
She expressed concern over how far the stolen documents had spread and over the age gap between Hango and the pupil, given their alleged romantic involvement and shared parenthood.
“He gave her access to these materials. That in itself is not just unprofessional, but goes against our zero tolerance for such behaviour.
“The regional director is very clear on the matter and there will be charges. The private school has to charge this teacher on two counts, which are for basically stealing the material and making it available to the pupil, and secondly for impregnating a pupil,” Steenkamp said.
*The pupil’s name is withheld to protect her identity since she is a minor.
