QWA-QWA - The Free State Department of Education has suspended a school principal after a Grade 12 pupil was allegedly denied access to an examination room over outstanding school fees.
The incident happened at Selelekela Secondary School in Qwa,Qwa on 15 October during the English First Additional Language Paper 3 exam.
According to the department, the principal, who was also a chief invigilator, has been suspended with immediate effect pending investigations.
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The pupil, on the other hand, has been provided with psycho-social support and will be continuing with her examinations.
“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.
“This is to ensure that the candidate is not required to rewrite the paper in June 2027. The granting of the concession remains subject to approval processes,” the department said.
Plans have also been made to replace the principal with the deputy principal appointed as chief invigilator for the remainder of the examinations.
The department has since sent a stern warning about barring pupils from writing their exams over outstanding fees.
“School fee disputes must never compromise a candidate's opportunity to write. Non-compliance with examination instructions will not be tolerated and will be dealt with through disciplinary processes,” the department said.