![](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/112/2014/10/jacob_5941357.jpg)
President Jacob Zuma and Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga have wished the country’s matric learners well ahead of their final examinations on Monday.
“We urge the learners to study hard but also to give themselves time to rest. We also appeal to parents not to put too much pressure [on them and] to provide support and encouragement. We want all our learners to do well in the exams,” said President Zuma on Sunday.
This as the majority of learners across the country will start their final Grade 12 examinations tomorrow.
Monday, 27 October marks the official commencement of the 2014 National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams and the Department of Basic Education (DBE) has finalised all preparations across the nine provinces.
“The Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga, has wished all grade 12 learners the best of luck as they start writing their final examinations,” said department spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga on Sunday.
A total of 688 660 candidates are registered to write the examination this year, of which 550 127 are full-time candidates and 138 533 are part-time candidates.
These candidates will write their examinations across 6 735 exam centres, where invigilation will be conducted by an estimated 65 000 invigilators, who will be responsible for ensuring that the exams are written under conditions that are free of any malpractice.
The DBE, together with the provinces, will strengthen the monitoring of the 2014 NSC examination processes to ensure that the integrity and credibility of this exit examination is upheld at every exam centre.
The Minister will officially announce the outcome of the 2014 NSC exams on 5 January 2015 and the results will be released to candidates on 6 January 2015.
“However, there are many opportunities for learners who do not do as well, such as rewrite schools and colleges where they can learn all sorts of skills. South Africa is a better place indeed now for our youth,” said the President. – SAnews.gov.za