The North West Education Department has come under scrutiny for a five-year, R500 million contract awarded to a private consortium for the printing, storage, and transportation of matric and other exam papers. The deal, signed with the Libon-Ultron DSV consortium, includes enhanced security measures but has raised questions about costs and the department’s decision to move away from government printing services.
Contract Details and Disputed Costs
According to insiders, the contract amounts to roughly R128 million annually, but the department disputes this figure, insisting the cost is “just over R100 million per year.” Acting Deputy Director-General for Exams and Curriculum, David Moroeng, clarified that the contract covers not only printing but also secure storage, packaging, and transportation of exam materials—a full “end-to-end” service.
Moroeng explained that the department previously paid between R27 million and R90 million annually when using the Government Printing Works (GPW) and later the Gauteng Education Department’s facilities. However, he cited security breaches and inefficiencies at GPW as reasons for the switch.
Security Upgrades Justify Higher Costs
The new contract introduces several security measures, including:
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Secure printing facilities with anti-leakage protocols.
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Dedicated, guarded transportation to prevent theft or loss.
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Digital archiving of answer scripts to avoid manual storage errors.
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Centralized distribution to schools under strict supervision.
Moroeng emphasized that the department will no longer use government vehicles for transporting exam papers due to past security risks, such as exposure to weather and poor road conditions.
Criticism and Concerns
Critics argue that the contract is excessively costly, with printing reportedly priced at R1.26 per page—higher than standard bulk printing rates. Opposition parties and education activists have questioned why the department did not improve GPW’s security instead of outsourcing.
Moroeng defended the decision, stating that GPW’s national workload and past leaks made it unreliable. “Security is our utmost priority,” he said, adding that the new provider operates within the province, ensuring better oversight.
Broader Implications
The move highlights growing concerns about government entities losing trust in state-run services. Moroeng acknowledged that GPW had failed to meet security standards during a national audit, forcing the department to seek private alternatives.
As the contract takes effect, the department assures that the investment will safeguard exam integrity. However, with R500 million committed over five years, scrutiny over expenditure and transparency is expected to continue.