Exams go off without major hitch
THE Department of Basic Education (DBE) said it was pleased that the National Senior Certificate (NSC) final exams had come to an end without any major incidents which could have compromised them.
The exams began on October 27 and concluded on Tuesday.
According to the department a total of 897 786 candidates had registered to sit for the NSC examination. This included 735 677 full-time and 162 109 part-time candidates.
The five weeks exams were written at 6 326 public examination centres, 526 independent centres and 326 designated centres.
DBE spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga said that apart from the reported incidents of some candidates caught with crib notes and cellphones, there were no confirmed reported serious irregularities that could have threatened the credibility, integrity and image of the exams.
Mhlanga said the department had put in place various measures which assisted in safeguarding the exams.
“The department thanks all the learners, teachers and school management teams for the resilience they have shown in braving the pandemic with the single goal of ensuring that the Class of 2021 receives optimum support.
“We would like to extend sincere gratitude to the officials in the provincial education departments, partners, educational stakeholders, parents and civil society organisations for going beyond the call of duty to support matric pupils before and during the exams,” said Mhlanga.
According to the department, marking is scheduled to start today and be completed on December 22.
More than 41 500 markers have been appointed to mark the scripts at 193 centres in different provinces. The department said it was working with the Department of Health to ensure that all marking centres are fully compliant with the health and safety protocols to deal with emergencies that may occur. Mhlanga said back-up centres had been organised in the event of an outbreak which would call for relocation. “All marking centres will implement stringent protocols, including daily screening, the appointment of compliance officers, supply of masks and sanitising,” he said.