As matriculants across the country have commenced their exams, the Gauteng Department of Education has emphasised security measures as it registered above 4 000 candidates more compared to last year.
MEC for the department, Panyaza Lesufi revealed that 111 775 full-time candidates and 41 599 part-time candidates have been registered to write this year’s matric exams. This was 4 612 more compared to last year. Lesufi said the province had the highest number of registered candidates in the country with 1 007 centres registered across the 15 districts of the province.
A number of 667 are public ordinary schools, 235 independent schools, 87 adult education and training centres, 11 correctional services centres and 7 designated centres.
Lesufi said chief invigilators and invigilators for all examination centres have been officially appointed and trained. Furthermore, an extensive network of monitors has been established across the province. “They are derived from head office, districts and other stakeholders, to ensure that the processes relating to conduct, administration and management of the examination is fair, credible and of integrity.
“Necessary arrangements to manage the distribution and collection of question papers and answer is in tact. The said process will be managed daily. We are happy with security arrangements around this process which unfortunately, we cannot share for security reasons.”
All matriculants signed a pledge on 11 October committing themselves to behave appropriately. “We have also done everything possible in ensuring that our learners have been given the best possible chance to do well in these exams. There were subject specific interventions implemented throughout the year. As a province we have high expectations for every learner to succeed.”
Meanwhile, the Department of Basic Education has announced that it has put contingency plans in place after Eskom announced planned load shedding. Spokesperson for the Department of Basic Education Elijah Mhlanga said that the announcement was unfortunate as it coincided with the beginning of matric exams where subjects such as applications technology and information technology were being written.
“We, however, have a backup exam which can be scheduled if there are candidates who are not able to write this exam. Contingency plans are always put in place to accommodate situations of this nature. The extent of the impact has not been established as yet because we are waiting for provinces to report. We will provide an update at a later stage,” said Mhlanga.
He added that the department was monitoring the situation and would look into the possibility of engaging Eskom on the negative impact power supply cuts may have on the exams.
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