Countdown to matric finals: 721,000 pupils ready to write

With only eight days left until the matric final exams, approximately 721,000 pupils were gearing up to write their assessments that will determine the trajectory of their futures.

Elijah Mhlanga, spokesperson for the Department of Basic Education, confirmed that the first paper will be written on October 21, with pupils tackling English P3 in the morning and Afrikaans P3 in the afternoon.

Mhlanga assured the public that it was “all systems go” and all the necessary measures have been put in place to ensure the exams start as scheduled.

In KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), the province with the most number of pupils writing the exams, the stakes were particularly high.

Approximately 172,433 full-time candidates and 18,019 part-time pupils will be participating in the final tests of their schooling career .

To manage the pupils effectively, the Department of Education in the province has enlisted the help of 6,343 invigilators stationed in 6,710 exam rooms.

The distribution of exam materials have already been planned, with 13 nodal points and 103 collection centres set up to supply the required resources.

KZN was set to produce 120 unique question papers, culminating to a total of 30 million prints across 27 morning and 27 afternoon sessions.

Sipho Hlomuka, the MEC for Education in KZN, expressed pride in the groundwork layed for the matric exams, highlighting a successful Winter Classes Programme aimed at bolstering pupils’ confidence.

“Our winter tuition, which ran from June 26 to July 7, sought to provide opportunities for learners to review their coursework, attempt previous examination papers, and consult with their teachers,” he said.

Hlomuka was optimistic, believing that the preparations have placed the Class of 2024 in a robust position heading into the National Senior Certificate exams.

“I was greatly pleased with the comprehensive security measures in place at the examination printing centre. During a thorough inspection, it was reassuring to witness the stringent protocols that ensure the integrity of our exam processes. It is because of all these intervention programmes, that the Department of Education in KwaZulu-Natal is confident that the Class of 2024 is ready for the National Senior Certificate Examinations,” said Hlomuka.

At a recent press conference, Umalusi CEO Dr Mafu Rakometsi reiterated confidence in the national examination process, noting that their audits confirmed that both the Department of Basic Education and the Department of Higher Education and Training were equipped to administer the exams.

Rakometsi acknowledged some identified weaknesses but affirmed that they did not threaten the exams’ credibility.

Umalusi also cautioned against any temptations towards dishonesty during the exams.

Cheating, Rakometsi said, undermined the integrity of the entire national exam system—a system that Umalusi is committed to safeguarding carefully.

“We would like to issue a stern warning to all learners and teachers alike to refrain from involvement in all forms of cheating during the examinations. Umalusi berates and condemns this criminal practice with the contempt it deserves.

“Cheating compromises the integrity of our national examination system, which we are mandated to jealously protect as a Quality Council. At the same time, Umalusi discourages communities from using the national exams as leverage for their protest actions,” said Rakometsi.

Marking for the National Senior Certificate Examination is scheduled to commence on December 1, and concluding by December 10 in a structure comprising 32 marking centres. A dedicated team of 7,614 markers and numerous senior officials will ensure the evaluation process was thorough and efficient, said Mhlanga.

The National Minister of Education was set to announce the results on January 15, for the Class of 2024.