The Free State Department of Education has suspended the principal and chief invigilator of Selelekela Secondary School in QwaQwa after a matric learner was allegedly prevented from entering the examination room during the English First Additional Language Paper 3 on 15 October.
Immediate action and measures to protect other candidates
The department said the suspension is effective immediately as officials probe the circumstances surrounding the incident, which the learner's family and school sources have linked to unpaid school fees. The deputy principal has been named acting chief invigilator for the remainder of the National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations to ensure stability and to uphold the exam process.
“The chief invigilator, who is also the principal of the school, has been suspended with immediate effect pending the investigation.”
Provincial education spokesperson Howard Ndaba said the affected candidate is continuing with her remaining exams according to her personal timetable and has been offered psycho-social support. The department is compiling reports and supporting documents for submission to Umalusi, via the national Department of Basic Education, to request a concession so the learner will not be required to rewrite the English paper in June 2027. Any concession remains subject to Umalusi approval.
Department reiterates exam access rules
Officials convened an urgent virtual meeting with chief invigilators from public, private and independent schools to emphasise that no learner may be refused entry to an examination room on the basis of outstanding school fees or any unrelated matter. The meeting referenced DBE Examination Instruction E06 of 2026, which governs eligibility and conduct during the NSC assessment period.
Ndaba warned that non-compliance with examination instructions would be addressed through disciplinary channels and that principals and chief invigilators have a duty to safeguard eligible candidates’ right to write their papers.
Timeline of the incident
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 15 October 2026 | Matric learner allegedly denied access to English FAL Paper 3 by chief invigilator at Selelekela Secondary School. |
| Following 15 October 2026 | Principal suspended; deputy principal appointed acting chief invigilator; learner continues with remaining exams; psycho-social support provided. |
| Ongoing | Department preparing documentation for Umalusi concession request via DBE. |
Local impact and wider implications
The case underscores routine tensions in schools where fee disputes intersect with administrative responsibilities. In many rural and township contexts in the Free State, outstanding fees place pressure on school finances, but departmental policy is clear: eligibility to sit for the NSC must be determined by assessment rules and not by fee status.
For learners and parents, the practical takeaway is that candidates who meet examination eligibility criteria are entitled to sit papers regardless of unresolved accounts with the school. Schools that contravene these provisions risk disciplinary action, and provincial authorities may refer matters for further sanction where necessary.
- Learners: Ensure you have your exam admission documents and raise concerns immediately with the exam centre manager or provincial examination office if denied access.
- Parents and guardians: Keep records of fee payments, communications with the school and any correspondence regarding eligibility to write exams.
- Schools: Follow DBE examination instructions and report any breakdowns in procedure to the district office to avoid compromising candidates’ results.
The department stressed it is committed to conducting a fair and credible examination process across the province. Investigation findings and any subsequent disciplinary outcomes were not disclosed pending the completion of the probe and requisite administrative steps.
As Umalusi considers the concession request, affected learners and their families await confirmation on whether the English paper will be accepted without a rewrite in the June 2027 examination cycle. The department’s prompt suspension of the principal signals a determination to address alleged procedural breaches swiftly.
Further updates will depend on the outcome of the departmental investigation and Umalusi's decision on the concession application.
