Pretoria - Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga has urged all learners who did not succeed in the 2009 matric examinations to try again and register for the supplementary exams.
"We do not always succeed the first time round, there is always a second chance, make use of those chances through hard work and commitment," Motshekga said.
The learners must apply for registration at the school or centre where they sat for the 2009 end of year examinations.
Motshekga encouraged learners to register for supplementary exams, which start on 15 February 2010, by no later than 22 January 2010.
Learners who may register for supplementary exams include those who have not met the minimum promotion and certification requirements in the final external examination and those who were medically unfit and as a result, were absent from one or more external examinations.
Learners who were medically unfit to write the exams need to provide documentary proof substantiating the reason for absenteeism at their registration centre to ensure entry to the supplementary examination.
Candidates who could not write the exams due to a death in their immediate family or there were other special reasons for absence can also write the supplementary exams, but need to provide documentary proof substantiating the reason for absenteeism at the registration centre to ensure entry to the supplementary examination.
In a case where an irregularity is being investigated, provisional enrolment for the supplementary examination may be granted to the candidate concerned, pending the outcome of the investigation.
Learners who are still unsure whether they qualify to write supplementary examinations have been advised to ask their school principals or contact the department's toll free number 0800 202 933.
The closing date for applications for reviewing, re-marking and re-checking is 22 January 2010 and no late applications will be processed.
The department noted that the reviewing of scripts can only take place seven days after release of re-mark or re-check results.
