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A number of 317 matriculants would have to re-write an exam paper after 10 examination centres across all districts of the province were affected by load-shedding yesterday (17 October).
The Gauteng Department of Education has announced that 36 centres in total were affected by yesterday’s load-shedding. However, learners in 26 centres were able to write and complete their computer applications technology practical exam with generators as a back-up power supply.
“Some learners from these centres were transported to other centres to enable them to successfully complete their exams,” said spokesperson for the department, Steve Mabona.
He added that the learners who were unable to write their exam paper are scheduled to write at a date to be announced by the department.
Mabona said the department hoped that there won’t be any power interruptions today as matriculants write their first paper of information technology today. “We hope that there will be no disruptions encountered as a result of load-shedding. The department has however taken precautionary measures in the eventuality of power cuts.”
The department has also announced measures it has put in place in the case of load-shedding during the exams. Those include quarantining candidates for up to two hours until the power is restored. Learners that are affected would be credited with equivalent additional time. Schools will also have generators on stand-by, learners in affected centres would be moved to unaffected centres and if all fails, the department would reschedule the exam.
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https://midrandreporter.co.za/226240/stage-2-load-shedding-begins/