KwaZulu-Natal Education MEC Sipho Emmanuel Hlomuka confirmed on 27 October 2026 that the provincial education department is investigating allegations that six matric pupils at Shallcross Secondary School were prevented from writing Mathematics Literacy Paper 1. The reported motive behind the alleged stoppage was to protect the school’s target of achieving a 100% pass rate.
The investigation also includes claims involving eight pupils across three schools in the province. Besides Shallcross Secondary School, the other two schools mentioned are Thokozamnganga High School in eNtshongweni, Pinetown District, and Ntwenhle High School in Folweni, near Isipingo. At Thokozamnganga, a learner was allegedly barred from a History exam for missing Saturday extra classes. At Ntwenhle High School, a learner was reportedly denied the opportunity to write the Accounting examination.
MEC Hlomuka condemned these alleged acts, stating, “The denial of an opportunity to write an examination is a serious matter that cannot be taken lightly.” He emphasised that extra classes should support learners, not be used as punishment impacting their exam rights, adding, “No learner should be made to feel that their future is at risk because they did not attend an extra class or because they may not achieve a distinction.”
According to the MEC, “Every learner deserves a fair opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and abilities during examinations,” and that “School performance targets must never be prioritised at the expense of learners’ educational rights and well-being.”
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education said it will assess the allegations and, if misconduct is found, take appropriate disciplinary measures. No further details on any school official’s involvement or internal decision-making have been confirmed so far. Similarly, claims made by a mother at Ntwenhle High School remain unverified, and the outcomes of ongoing investigations are still awaited.
This issue highlights broader concerns about the pressure placed on schools to meet pass-rate targets and how it might be affecting learners’ right to sit their National Senior Certificate examinations. The department’s response will be critical in upholding examination rights and maintaining trust in school accountability across KwaZulu-Natal.
Cape Flats News will continue to monitor the investigation and provide updates as more information becomes available.