The Department of Basic Education announced today (September 15) that the matric examinations will start earlier than initially scheduled to accommodate the upcoming municipal elections.
The final National Senior Certificate examinations will now start on October 27 instead of November 1 as initially scheduled.
“The papers, English (home language, first additional language and second additional language) paper 1, business studies paper 1 and the non-official languages paper 1, scheduled originally for November 1 and 2, will now be written on October 27 and 28 respectively.”
The department said the timetable was amended to accommodate the local government elections to be held on November 1, adding that the amendments will also allow for learners who are eligible to vote to cast their ballots.
Boksburg schools welcome changes
Reiger Park Secondary School
Reiger Park Secondary management said the changes are quite justifiable, but in the current circumstances, it would have been much better if the end-of-year exam timetable for matrics was postponed to a later date, instead of bringing them forward.
They added that aside from all the concerns around the loss in learning time, bringing the matric exams forward will obviously have an impact on some learners’ achievement, as they are now also forced to make some adjustments to their planned programmes to study or prepare for their exams.
Hoërskool Oosterlig
Principal of Hoërskool Oosterlig Francois Nel said their school welcomes the department’s decision to adjust the matric exam timetable.
“It would’ve been a disruption if the matrics started writing on the day of the local election. This is especially considering that some schools are voting stations,” the principal said. “We are comfortable with the adjustment. I believe our matrics are ready to start writing on October 27. Our learners are well prepared.”
Sunward Park High
The school said though the final exams will be written much earlier they are ready.
“We have so far completed our curriculum. On our side we have done our part as we have done everything in our powers to make sure that the learners are equipped to the fullest though we still going to push them during the upcoming holidays,” said the school in a statement.
Windmill High
The school in Windmill Park said through their intervention programmes they are hoping that the learners will be up to speed when the time comes to write the exams.
Also Read: Join this free webinar to help you survive and thrive in your matric year
