The EC Department of Education refused to allow Dispatch reporters and photographer access to local schools to do the traditional start of matric exams report. They were turned away from at least 4 schools and rebuffed over the phone by others. Strangely, Beeld, etv, SABC and other media were allowed access. Could it be retribution for all the damning reportage on the failures of the department, including the award-winning “Hostels of Shame” expose? Not at all, it was apparently a “small misunderstanding.