Police checks for matric exam officials

ALL matric examination officials will have to go through a police clearance, as well as a security clearance, if proposed regulations are adopted.

The Department of Basic Education this week published its draft regulations, which have extended the clearances to all officials working at the exam sections.

Spokesman Elijah Mhlanga said the clearances comprised security background checks and interviews.

While the police clearance would check for criminal records, the security clearance assesses the trustworthiness of officials.

"The aim is to prevent any leakages [of exam papers] that may occur," he said. – Poppy Louw