Riots affect matrics

Exams missed due to protests

The department of basic education is to make a decision regarding grade 12 pupils who missed exams due to protests in several parts of the country.

The department said it had noted with concern the continued community protests disrupting the National Senior Certificate examinations.

In Mpumalanga, at six centres, 1,127 candidates could not write mathematics and mathematical literacy paper 2 due to the protests on Monday.

“The matter is under discussion as to when these candidates will be given another opportunity to write the affected papers,” said basic education spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga.

He said writing yesterday morning proceeded smoothly in all centres after police intervened and cleared the roads.

“Monitoring was intensified, and candidates were able to write. The district offices mobilised to ensure the pupils were assisted. The department has called upon all schools to reopen in the area as the situation has returned to normal.”

Elsewhere, he said examinations in the North West started late due to protests.

In Gauteng, 53 candidates did not write economics paper 1. “The principal advised the candidates not to appear for the paper and also misdirected the province that there was a protest in the area. The district is to initiate a disciplinary proceeding against the principal.”

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