According to the Gauteng Department of Education, the National Senior Certificate 2016 examination started on high with absolutely no disruptions or any paper leakage reported across the province.
The main exam kicked off on October 24 with pupils writing a variety of language papers but many pupils in some provinces, like Gauteng, wrote their first paper (English) and other official languages on October 26.
Gauteng province has registered the second highest number of candidates, second to Kwa Zulu Natal.
153 973 candidates have registered to write compared to 169 661 in Kwa-Zulu Natal and 110 565 in Limpopo (third highest).
Of this total 112 192 full-time candidates and 41, 781 part-time candidates will sit for the 2016 exams. In total, this is 153 973 Grade 12 pupils.
The candidates are writing their exams in 1 158 centres across all 15 districts in the province.
GDE spokesperson Oupa Bodibe said the department has done everything possible to provide the best possible chance for each pupil to do well in these exams.
Bodibe said chief invigilators and invigilators for all examination centres, drawn from head office, the districts and other stakeholders, have been officially appointed and trained.
“An extensive network of 1 555 monitors has been established across the province to ensure that the processes relating to conduct, administration and management of the examination are fair, credible and of integrity.
“In addition to the process of monitoring, daily incident reports will be submitted by districts, collated and submitted to the Department of Basic Education and Umalusi,” he said.
GDE and law enforcers will be working as a unit throughout the duration of the exams to safeguard environs.
Eighty distribution points have been identified for the collection of question papers and submission of scripts.
Appointed security companies with armed guards, will escort all exam material.
The department also wishes candidates “good luck” with their examinations, as they are the future leaders of this country.
The districts and Provincial Monitoring Team (PMT) will continue to efficiently monitor the NSC examinations until to the end.
