The private college in Athlone, Cape Town, where 46 candidates cheated during the 2014 matric exams, has fired its principal, it said on Monday.

“Thus far, the school has dismissed the principal who was head of the examinations, and has accepted the resignation of two teachers who admitted to being involved,” Stonefountain College director Shaheed Shaik said.

“A further two contract teachers had their contracts terminated,” he said.

“In total, five teachers are at present not with Stonefountain College, due to their alleged involvement in the examination irregularities.”

Shaik said evidence showed that the teachers had assisted pupils during the exams.

The pupils were being interviewed to determine the extent of the problem.

Earlier, the Western Cape education department said it had concluded its investigation into the cheating.

“The investigation found that candidates participated and were aided in copying in nine papers covering seven subjects,” spokeswoman Jessica Shelver said.

The investigation included auditing every paper written at the campus and interviewing the candidates and teachers involved, she said.

The subjects were physical sciences (papers one and two), life sciences (paper two), mathematics (papers one and two), business studies, geography (paper one), tourism, and English home language (paper two).

Shelver said the Stonefountain College would decide on the sanctions to be imposed on those found guilty because it was an independent school and the department had no jurisdiction.

“The WCED’s examinations irregularities committee will study the report and make recommendations on further action.

“The candidates will have to wait for the outcome of the process, which will include a report to the department of basic education and discussions on a national level,” she said.

Shaik said the school supported the department’s investigation and had employed a lawyer to represent the pupils and study the allegations and proof supplied by the department.

“Many learners did however admit to examination irregularities in affidavits signed and submitted to the department over the past few weeks.

“As an educational institute we are saddened at this breakdown of protocols and examination etiquette at the school by people entrusted with authority,” he said.

Stonefountain helps those repeating matric and has been in existence for 10 years. SAPA