“Heartfelt congratulations to all our learners, educators and staff for a job well done during the exams. We applaud all educators for the hard work they have put in during the year.”
These were the words of the Gauteng Department of Education MEC, Panyaza Lesufi after the last paper of the 2018 matric examination had been written.
This year, more than 107 258 full-time and 43 061 part-time Grade 12 candidates across the Gauteng province started their final National Senior Certificate (NSC) examination on Monday, 22 October 2018. This is a slight increase of 229 candidates compared to in 2017.
For the first time in many years, the Department experienced one major irregularity – the principal of Mpontsheng Secondary School in Katlehong walked into a matric exam centre and allegedly gave pupils the answers to Geography Paper 1.
“The incident was reported to Umalusi and the principal was immediately removed as an invigilator and subsequently placed on precautionary transfer to the district office. The principal is facing a disciplinary process, the outcome of which will be communicated in due course,” Lesufi explained.
He added that the Department supports Umalusi’s decision that learners in the implicated school should rewrite Geography Paper 1 on Thursday, 29 November 2018 so that the integrity of the exam is not compromised.
“All our marking centres are geared and ready to commence [marking] on 1 December and it will be concluded by 15 December 2018. We wish all 9 509 appointed markers well.
“Gauteng Province did everything possible to ensure that learners are given the best possible advantage to do well in these examinations. These include the Secondary School Improvement Programme (SSIP), the Matric Revision Camps and subject-specific interventions throughout the year.
“This is to encourage learners to actively seek and participate in skills development programmes such as job shadowing, internships and more, rather than engaging in unsafe sex and alcohol binging. We urge learners to stay away from parties that may harm their careers forever,” Lesufi urged.
The Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga will release the 2018 NSC Examination results on the evening of Thursday 03 January 2019. Candidates will be able to access their results from Friday 04 January 2019 at their school and/ or exam centres.
“The Department understands that post-exam anxiety and stress is likely to set in among some learners and hereby reminds learners in distress to contact Childline on their toll-free number 0800 055 555 or 011 645 2000 (during working hours) for counselling assistance. Parents and members of the community are also urged to use these contact details for learner support.”
