Final exams expected to commence without glitches in Mpumalanga
The MEC for Education said the goal is to manage an incident-free examination process as they have been doing for the past 13 years.
With the 2023 Grade 12 National Senior Certificate Examinations set to begin on October 30, the MEC responsible for education in Mpumalanga, Bonakele Majuba, has assured the province that his department has pulled out all the stops to ensure that the final exams progress without any glitches.
Speaking during the state of readiness address in KaBokweni on October 11, Majuba said their goal is to run and manage an incident-free examination process as they have been doing for the past 13 years.
The exams will commence with the writing of first papers for English home and first additional language.
“The administration of the examination process in Mpumalanga has always been beyond reproach from 2019 to date, and we intend to improve by ensuring that this year’s examination remains credible and is managed with the highest standards of professionalism and integrity. We implore the provincial community to be the first level of security by ensuring that nothing at all interferes with the smooth running of these examinations.
“We implore the masses of our province to safeguard the future and the education of their children, hence vigilance is crucial from every sector of society. Be that as it may be, the department will be working with sister departments such as health, community safety, security and liaison and the SAPS towards the smooth running of the examinations,” said Majuba.
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“The department is making a clarion call to all learners to appreciate that this is their time to finish the journey they started 12 years ago. Our learners need to be aware that it is due to their hard work, dedication and commitment that they had made it this far. They need to know that the last few kilometres of any marathon are the hardest and most crucial as they determine the end results.
“To this end, they need to remain vigilant and not allow anything to divert their attention away from writing and completing their Grade 12 studies. They need to be alert and not allow anything to rob them of their bright future.
“They also need to be more focused this time around and avoid any distractions coming their way. This is the time in which they need to choose the right supportive friends and manage their time more wisely than before,” advised Majuba.
This year the department has registered a total of 68 681 full-time and 16 767 part-time candidates for the exams.
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The Ehlanzeni District has registered the biggest number of candidates, 18 292 full-time and 6 210 part-time. The Nkangala District has registered 17 462 full-time and 4 632 part-time candidates. The Gert Sibande District has registered 16 267 full-time and 2 853 part-time candidates, while the Bohlabela District has registered 16 089 full-time and 2 529 part-time candidates.
Majuba said they are hoping to achieve higher than an 80% pass rate. Marking will take place from December 3 to 17, across the 20 marking centres spread throughout the province. The announcement of the results is set for Friday January 19, 2024 at the University of Mpumalanga.
