📚 R500 Million for Matric Exams? Calls Grow for Clarity and Accountability
A R500 million contract awarded by the North West Department of Education for the administration and printing of matric examination papers has ignited public criticism and demands for transparency. Civil society groups, educators, and concerned citizens are urging the department to reveal how such a substantial amount will be spent.
🔍 What’s the Issue?
The contract, reportedly meant to ensure the secure printing and delivery of 2025 matric papers, is being called “excessive” and “unjustifiable” in the face of persistent service delivery failures and crumbling school infrastructure in the province.
“We are not saying exams shouldn’t be properly managed. But R500 million is an astronomical figure. The department must provide a detailed cost breakdown and open the floor for public engagement,” said a provincial education watchdog spokesperson.
💼 Key Concerns:
- Lack of cost transparency: No public document has been released detailing the scope or justification of the expenditure.
- Oversight and accountability: Critics are asking who approved the amount, and what checks are in place to prevent wasteful or irregular spending.
- Neglect of school infrastructure: Many point out that schools in the province still lack functional toilets, adequate classrooms, and teaching materials, yet such large sums are going to contracts.
🗣️ Call for Action
Civil society organizations, including education unions and budget monitoring groups, have called for:
- A public breakdown of contract costs
- An investigation into the procurement process
- Community engagement to explore more cost-effective, locally-led alternatives
🏫 Bigger Picture
This controversy comes amid broader concerns about public procurement practices in education, where inflated tenders and lack of oversight have previously undermined service delivery and eroded trust.
