Durban - Elaborate plans have been made to ensure the entire process for the matric examinations in KwaZulu-Natal go smoothly and securely.
The Basic Education Department in the province has roped in the South African National Defence Force, South African Police Service, local municipalities and non-governmental organisations to assist in the case of any disruption, including acts of natures.
MEC for Education Senzo Mchunu said every detail had been taken into consideration in the planning for the examinations, from how long it would take to deliver exam papers to schools to who would receive them on the designated days.
Mchunu reassured the province the department was ready for the examinations and had done its best to make up for time lost at schools during the World Cup and public sector strike.
"The Department of Education has left no stone unturned and taken all necessary steps and processes to ensure that exams are held with no glitches. I want to assure everyone that we have systems, personnel and determination for a successful session of the matric exams," said Mchunu.
There are 130 458 full time and 20 388 part time candidates registered for the examinations in the province, which will be written from 25 October 25 until 3 December.
Thirty-two marking centres are available around the province, with 9 361 appointed markers who will start their jobs on 7 December.
Mchunu said all marking centres have locking rooms for the security of the learners' answer scripts.
The exam paper printing process will be monitored by the management of the Chief Directorate.
The examination administration and assessment staff will oversee the delivery of question papers, while the district, province and national Department of Basic Education will monitor the conduct of the exams.
"As much as we try to close the leaks, there might be people who will try to cheat and we will be ruthless. We have systems to detect these potential problems," said Mchunu.
The MEC visited a number of schools immediately after the recent strike was suspended and is convinced that recovery programmes have been completed.
He said during the World Cup, some schools continued with their syllabus.
"Besides teaching and learning that took place since January, the province had additional intervention programmes to support schools that obtained less than 60 percent in matric last year," said Mchunu.
The department, in light of the disruptions this year, is not expecting dramatically higher pass rates but is convinced that it will be on par or slightly better than 2009
