The National Senior Certificate (NSC) examination timetable has been adjusted to accommodate the upcoming Local Government Elections, with examinations taking a break from 3 - 5 November before resuming on Friday, 6 November.
South Africa’s Local Government Elections will take place on Wednesday, 4 November, during the October/November examination period.
Monday, 9 November, is also scheduled as a non-examination day.
The adjustment is intended to minimise potential disruptions to the examinations arising from election-related activities, including political gatherings and community protests.
During a state of readiness briefing on 8 October, Umalusi Chief Executive Officer Mafu Rakometsi said the examination timetable had been amended to accommodate the elections, as was done in 2021.
“As was the case in 2021, this year’s examination timetable has had to be amended to accommodate the upcoming local government elections. Umalusi has previously identified political activities and community protests as factors that can disrupt the smooth conduct of examinations. Because the local government elections on 4 November coincide with the examination period, related political activities may affect examination operations.
“Umalusi will, therefore, work closely with assessment bodies, provincial education departments and other relevant stakeholders to prevent election-related activities from interfering with the examination process,” he said.
Rakometsi said communities also play a vital role in ensuring that examinations proceed smoothly and without incident.
“Many schools, including those used as voting stations, hold extra classes on weekends and during holidays to prepare candidates for examinations. Umalusi urges all stakeholders, including political and community leaders, principals, teachers and parents, to minimise the disruption caused by political activities, especially in the vicinity of schools serving as examination centres.
“Umalusi appeals to everyone to provide candidates with the support they need during this critical stage of their educational journey and to take every possible step to ensure that no candidate is unduly disadvantaged,” the CEO said.
At the time, Rakometsi said Umalusi will work with assessment bodies, provincial education departments and other stakeholders to prevent election-related activities from interfering with the examination process.
He also called on political and community leaders, principals, teachers and parents to help minimise disruptions, particularly around schools being used as examination centres.
The council has emphasised the importance of ensuring that candidates are supported during this critical stage of their education and that no learner is unfairly disadvantaged by election-related activities.
The NSC examinations commenced across the country on Tuesday, 13 October 2026.
– SAnews.gov.za
