Department ready for matric finals
WITH about two weeks left until Grade 12s write their final exams, Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga said the department was ready to present credible final exams.
The Department of Basic Education (DBE) hosted a media briefing on Friday to provide an update on the readiness for the 2021 National Senior Certificate exams, which start on October 27.
“This is the Grade 11 class of 2020 that did not complete their curriculum, but through the sheer hard work and dedication of our teachers, have been able to cover the entire curriculum of 2021, and they even had enough time to do revisions,” Motshekga said.
She said there were 735 677 fulltime candidates writing, which was an increase of 128 451.
“That means the system needs to ensure all health and safety protocols are adhered to. We have consulted with provinces to check on their state of readiness, and provinces have confirmed that it is all system go,” Motshekga said.
The DBE’s director for Examination and Assessment, Priscilla Ogunbanjo, said all candidates, including those who tested positive for Covid-19 or displayed Covid-19 symptoms, would be accommodated.
The last day of exams is December 7 and marks capture is expected to be complete on December 27. Umalusi standardisation and evaluations will begin on January 6, and Motshekga will announce the results on January 20. The next day the provinces will release the results.
Motshekga urged all learners to take advantage of the learning and teaching support materials, as well as the support through the Woza Matrics Campaign.
She asked all South Africans to play a direct role in rebooting the basic education system.
“In rebooting the system, we must ensure the basics are addressed. Our school communities must be at school on time, ready to teach and learn. Our schools must be safe havens for learning and teaching again. Learners in the foundation and senior phases must be able to read with meaning,” Motshekga said.
She added that in rebooting the system there must be jointly found strategies to decisively deal with most of the country’s perennial challenges. Motshekga said all of society, including residents, must commit to accelerate the rationalisation and closure of small and enviable schools.