A Free State school principal has been suspended after allegedly barring a matric learner from writing an examination over unpaid school fees.
The Grade 12 pupil at Selelekela Secondary School in QwaQwa missed her English First Additional Language Paper 3 examination on Thursday, 15 October.
The Free State Department of Education confirmed the principal’s suspension on Friday, 23 October, pending an investigation.
PRINCIPAL SUSPENDED OVER MATRIC EXAM INCIDENT
The principal, who also served as the school’s chief invigilator, allegedly refused to allow the learner into the examination room because of outstanding fees.
The department has since appointed the deputy principal as chief invigilator for the remainder of the 2026 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations.
Officials have also provided the learner with psychosocial support. She has continued writing her remaining papers.
However, the department must still resolve the examination she missed.
WILL MATRIC LEARNER HAVE TO REWRITE?
Education officials are preparing an application to quality assurance body Umalusi, through the Department of Basic Education, requesting a concession for the missed English paper.
“The Department is finalising all reports and supporting documentation for submission to Umalusi through the Department of Basic Education (DBE), to request a concession in respect of English FAL P3,” it said.
The department hopes to secure the concession rather than have the learner rewrite the paper in June 2027.
Umalusi has yet to make a decision.
SCHOOLS WARNED OVER UNPAID FEES
The incident has prompted the department to hold an urgent virtual meeting with chief invigilators across public and independent schools.
Officials reminded schools that examination regulations prohibit them from excluding eligible learners over unpaid fees.
“School fee disputes must never compromise a candidate’s opportunity to write,” the department warned.
It also cautioned that schools failing to comply with examination instructions could face disciplinary action.
Under the South African Schools Act, public schools cannot deny learners access to education because their parents have failed to pay school fees.
The department has not indicated when it expects to conclude its investigation.