Matric exams kick off countrywide

Monday, October 28, 2013

Pretoria – Some 707 136 learners across the country will today sit for their final 2013 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations.

Learners across the country will this morning write their English Paper 1 -- in Home Language, First Additional Language and Second Additional Language.

At 2pm, learners will sit for their Music Paper 1 Theory.

The 2013 NSC examinations will end on 29 November 2013.

The 2013 examinations will take place across more than 6 699 examination centres, according to the Council for Quality Assurance in General and Further Education and Training, Umalusi.

These examinations will be overseen by about 65 000 invigilators and will be marked by over 35 000 markers in 118 marking centres across the country, says Umalusi.

Results will be announced on 7 January 2014, and all learners are urged to go to their schools on this day to collect their results.

In her message to the class of 2013 earlier this month, Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga said these exams are the culmination of years of schooling and are crucial in ensuring that matriculants are able to establish a platform from which they can launch themselves into their desired future.

She said she hopes that they will work hard and make every South African proud by achieving success, adding “that department, your teachers, your parents and your communities are behind you all the way. Go out there and make us all proud.

“Remember, your future is in your hands. Only you can make the choices that will determine your future.”

Gauteng Education intervenes in Bekkersdal

Meanwhile, the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has intervened to ensure that approximately 450 Matriculants in Bekkersdal are able to write their exams without any disruption.

The department on Sunday placed these learners in a special residential camp outside the community, where they will be able to write their exams and receive study tuition.

Spokesperson Gershwin Chuenyane says the necessity for continuing with this arrangement will be evaluated on a weekly basis.

“The department appeals to community leaders on all sides in Bekkersdal, to assist the department in stabilising schools in the area and ensuring that the future of young learners is not placed in jeopardy,” said Chuenyane.

Bekkersdal has seen a week of violent service delivery protests in the area, which saw the torching of several government buildings.

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