Basic Education: Matric exams CONCLUDED, marking to begin

The Department of Basic Education (DBE) says it’s pleased with the matric examination process having finally wrapped up without any major incidents. The class of 2021 wrote their last National Senior Certificate (NSC) exam on Monday, 6 December.

The department says there were no worrying events which could have compromised the five-week long matric exams.

“Apart from the reported incidents of some candidates caught with crib notes and cellphones there are no confirmed reported serious irregularities at this stage that could threaten the credibility, integrity and image of the examinations, as a whole,” says the department’s spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga.

The matric exams started on 27 October and was written in 6 326 public examination centres, 526 independent centres and 326 designated centres. Close to 90 000 candidates were registered for the exams (735 677 full-time candidates and 162 109 part-time candidates)

“The Department put in place various measures that assisted in safe guarding the examinations at the various points. The Department thanks all learners, teachers and school management teams for the resilience they have shown in braving the pandemic with a single goal of ensuring that the Class of 2021 receives optimum support”

Department of Basic Education (DBE) spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga

MATRIC EXAMS: MARKING SET FOR WEDNESDAY

The Department of Basic Education (DBE) says it is now all systems go for the marking of matric exam scripts on Wednesday, 8 December. Marking is expected to end on 22 December and well over 41 500 markers have been appointed to mark the scripts at 193 centres across the country.

The department says it has decided to increase the number of exam marking centres to ensure better compliance to COVID-19 protocols.

“All marking centres will implement stringent Covid19 protocols including daily screening, the appointment of compliance officers, the supply of masks, sanitising stations as well as social distancing,” Mhlanga added.

Added to that, the department says back-up marking centres have been organized in case an outbreak occurs at a specific centre and there is a need to relocate.

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga has congratulated the Matric Class of 2021 for managing to complete their exams, despite the obvious challenges they encountered.