The Department of Education has responded to the widespread controversy over the inclusion of social media influencer Skomota as an exam topic in a question paper that has been circulating on X (formerly Twitter).
Outrage Over Skomota’s Inclusion in Exam Paper
This week, a Life Orientation examination paper emerged with the popular Limpopo-born influencer – Thabang Sefala – as a case study. In the question paper, learners had to answer three questions about the dancer and get 10 marks if they answer correctly.However, critics argued that the inclusion of Skomota undermines the examination process as well as the value of academic excellence, especially because many do not see him as a positive influence. In many viral social media videos, Skomota is often seen drinking alcohol and touching and kissing women.
“It’s the assumption that all children know Skomota for me😏…….There are parents who would do anything to not expose their children to oSkomota because they realise that there is nothing to learn from his behaviour. The Department of Education needs to do better!” said one X user.
While another said: “Kids need to be taught financial literacy and other important things not to answer exam questions about Skomota like really?”
Department of Education Responds
Speaking to ZiMoja, National Department of Basic Education spokesperson, Elijah Mhlanga, said that the authenticity of the examination paper is still in question. He claimed that the question in the examination paper could have been manipulated.
“DBE would not know if this were real or not because schools set their own exams for learners under grade 12. There are no national exams but internal exams which means a school could do something like this for their own purposes.” Mhlanga said.
“It could easily be a manipulated document.”
However, he promised to get to the bottom of the matter by taking it up with the other education departments in the nine provinces.
“I will, however, check with my colleagues from the provinces if they know anything about it,” added Mhlanga.