Pretoria - Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga, has wished the 2009 matriculants well ahead of their Senior Certificate Examinations on Monday.
Speaking at her office in Pretoria on Friday, the minister said that with only a few days left before the start of the examinations, this was a crucial and challenging time for Grade 12 learners.
"The results you achieve in the November Senior Certificate Examinations will determine your choice of career and your future," she said.
While the minister was sure matriculants had been studying hard throughout the year, she appealed to them to use these last few days constructively to ensure they were ready for the exams.
"I want to wish you well with your examinations. I hope that you will work hard and do your best. You are always in my thoughts and prayers as you prepare for your examinations," she said.
All provinces have reported that they are ready and well prepared for the examinations. The Department of Basic Education will continue to monitor and support provincial education departments in the final preparations and administration of the examinations.
The exams will kick off on Monday with learners sitting for a two-hour paper on German, Portuguese, Hebrew, first and second additional languages as well as an Electronic Technology.
In the afternoon, they will be writing a two-hour paper on Hindi, Gujarati, Urdu, Tamil, Telegu, Arabic, French, Italian, Spanish, first and second additional languages as well as a two and half hour Latin paper.
According to the department, a total of 581 573 full time candidates are expected to sit for the exams, with an additional 38 595 learners who will be sitting as repeat candidates.
Learners will write 197 papers that will be marked by more than 30 000 markers. This means that around 12 million marks will be captured during the entire process, said the department.
This is the second year matrics are writing exams based on the National Curriculum Statement (NCS), the phasing in of which was completed last year.
With the NSC, there is no longer Higher and Standard Grades, only one grade of examination paper is set and all learners must choose either mathematics or mathematical literacy. All learners must also take Life Orientation which is assessed internally.
The matric results will be released on 7 January 2010, instead of December, to allow more time to verify and check all results before they are released.
