Umalusi Confirms Exam Leak Investigations Will Not Delay 2025 Matric Results

Umalusi has reassured the Class of 2025, their families, and higher education institutions that investigations into reported matric exam leaks and irregularities will not delay the release of results for learners who were not affected.

The quality assurance body responded to recent revelations of irregularities in the National Senior Certificate (NSC) final examinations, involving subjects such as Mathematics, Physical Sciences, and English Home Language. The issues were identified during the national marking process.

Exam Breach Detected During Marking Process

Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube confirmed on Thursday that officials detected a breach in Gauteng while exams were being marked. The discovery was made after markers noticed striking similarities between some learners’ answers and the official marking guidelines.

The similarities were first identified in English Home Language Paper 2, prompting a broader investigation into possible exam leaks.

English Home Language Paper 2 focuses on literature studies, including:

Poetry (prescribed and unseen),
Novels, and
Drama.

The paper requires learners to write essays and provide contextual analysis based on texts studied throughout the year.

Leaked Subjects and Scope of the Investigation

According to the Department of Basic Education (DBE), at least 26 matric learners from seven schools in Pretoria admitted to accessing leaked question papers and marking guidelines prior to writing their exams.

The leaked materials reportedly include:

English Home Language Papers 1–3
Mathematics Papers 1–2
Physical Sciences Papers 1–2

These materials were allegedly distributed using a USB device.

Umalusi Satisfied With DBE’s Initial Response

Umalusi confirmed that it received a preliminary report from the DBE on Wednesday and is continuing to analyse the findings.

“Having studied the report, Umalusi is satisfied with the steps taken by the DBE thus far, including reporting the case to the South African Police Service (SAPS),” the body said.

Umalusi further welcomed the ongoing investigative work aimed at determining the full extent of the irregularities.

A national task team is set to begin a formal investigation on Friday, 12 December, and is expected to finalise its findings before results approval on 12 January 2026.

Matric Results Timeline Remains Unchanged

Umalusi confirmed that the DBE will present its findings to the Umalusi Council’s executive committee, with discussions scheduled during the results approval meetings from 6–8 January 2026.

Importantly, Umalusi stressed that:

“The investigations will in no way delay the release of the results of NSC learners who are not implicated in the reported irregularities.”

Officials Suspended, Criminal Case Opened

The leak is believed to have originated from national department offices. Two Gauteng-based DBE employees have been suspended, one of whom is reportedly the parent of a learner implicated in the breach. A criminal case for theft of state property has also been opened.

Gauteng Education Department Praised for Early Detection

The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) praised its provincial examination markers for identifying the anomaly early in the marking process.

GDE spokesperson Steve Mabona said that in one case, learners’ responses were almost identical to the official marking guide.

“This early detection triggered a joint preliminary investigation between the GDE and DBE,” Mabona said.

He added that the vigilance of markers helped authorities pinpoint the source of the leak and identify those allegedly involved.

Integrity of Exams Remains Intact

Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane assured learners, families, and the public that the integrity of the NSC examinations remains intact for the majority of candidates.

“This breach was isolated, quickly detected, and effectively contained. There is no evidence that other schools or candidates outside the identified cluster were affected,” Chiloane said.

He confirmed that all marking, verification, and security protocols remain in place to ensure a credible and fair outcome.

Chiloane also thanked the 192,745 Gauteng matric candidates for upholding the NSC pledge and commended markers for their professionalism.

Next Update Scheduled for January 2026

To protect the integrity of the investigation, Umalusi said it will not engage further with the media until 9 January 2026, when it will announce its final findings on the administration and management of the 2025 NSC examinations.