With the Grades 11 and 12 learners who have to re-write examinations due to question paper theft, the police have cautioned the public especially entertainment places to minimise noise for learners to study.
Due to the exam papers leakage, Grade 11 and 12 National Senior Secondary Certificate (NSSCO) examinations for affected subjects will be rewritten in January and February this year.
In fact, the Grade 11s have already started writing their examinations yesterday (10 January).
The dates for Grade 11s to sit for exams is between 10 to 21 January, while Grade 12s will start on 7 to 11 February.
In an interview with New Era yesterday, Namibian Police deputy inspector general Joseph Shikongo highlighted it’s critical for Namibians to give the affected learners who are re-writing exams ample time to focus and study in a quiet environment.
“Noise pollution can come from anywhere such as churches, shebeens, bars, playing music in cars or people shouting. They should make sure such noise is only meant for the recipient and not other people. If it’s the church, it should just be them and music from jukeboxes should be controlled. People confuse noise pollution with closing time for bars and shebeens. Noise pollution should be controlled at all times,” Shikongo stated.
He cautioned noise pollution carries a fine of up to N$1 000. According to him, noise pollution should not just be reduced during exams but at all times.
For school going children, especially those learners writing examinations, he cautioned them to refrain from visiting shebeens, clubs and bars and instead focus on their books to produce good results.
Education executive director Sanet Steenkamp said the nation is aware of the predicament caused by the exam papers leakage.
Therefore, she implored everyone to come on board and help learners to focus and study.
“We call on our business partners and shebeen owners and everyone involved to respect the dates when these children are writing the exams. This is the last chance these children have. These candidates have to improve to ensure they have good marks. So they need every minute and hour to be dedicated to their studies to focus. They should not be disrupted by chores or noise pollution. It’s imperative that from 10 up to 21 January for Grade 11s and from 7 to 15 February for Grade 12, that these children have dedicated action and support from everyone to study.”
All affected subjects of which the exams have yet to be written have been cancelled.
Criminal cases have been opened against those accused in the matter. Two cases were laid in Ongwediva and one in Ondangwa where the leakages reportedly took place.
So far, many suspects have been apprehended with some granted bail. Five suspects are in police custody - two in Khomas, while three are in Oshana region.
Police investigations continue.
Some of the Grade 12 papers to be re-written include English Second Language: Paper 1 and 2, History (1 and 2), Agriculture (1 and 2), Development Studies (1, 2 and 3) and Biology (1, 2 and 3).
The Grade 11 Ordinary Level include English Second Language (paper 1), Afrikaans Second Language (paper 1), Biology (papers 1, 2 and 3) Mathematics (papers 1 and 2), Physics (papers 1, 2 and 3), Chemistry (papers 1, 2 and 3), Entrepreneurship (paper 1), Business Studies (papers 1 and 2), Agriculture (paper 1), Oshikwanyama and Oshindonga (papers 1, 2 and 3).
–anakale@nepc.com.na