The province of KwaZulu-Natal is reportedly leading the pack with 203 815 matric candidates for the 2026 National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams.

The exams will officially start on October 13, and end on November 26.

Briefing the media today (October 12), KZN MEC for Education Sipho Hlomuka assured that the department is fully prepared.

Also read: Lessons from past matric results

“This year’s examination cycle is a significant milestone in the implementation of our provincial strategy to improve the education system and its outcomes,” Hlomuka said.

This year’s number of registered candidates increased by 7916 compared to 2025, the biggest the province has ever had, and the highest in the country.

“The growth in the number of candidates is a demonstration that more learners are reaching the final stage of their schooling and presents us with an even greater responsibility to ensure that every candidate is provided with a fair, secure and credible opportunity to complete their Grade 12 qualification,” Hlomuka said.

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He said the department had ensured learner support ahead of the exams through Winter and Spring Programmes.

“The programmes focused on revision of previous papers, clustering schools to address challenges, camp sessions, and hybrid models,” Hlomuka said.

In addition to the interventions, the department introduced virtual therapy, focusing on mental well-being of learners.

As this year is the first time the exams are conducted during election period, the MEC assured that necessary measures have been put in place to limit the impact of IEC processes in schools.

Administration plans:

• Approximately 31 156 invigilators have been trained to manage examination sessions in approximately 1766 examination centres.

• The examination timetable consists of 29 morning sessions and 24 afternoon sessions.

• The printing of 112 question papers amounts to approximately 32 million individual prints.

• The distribution of examination materials will take place through 13 storage points and 103 distribution and collection centres.
  
• A total of 12 386 members of the marking team will be appointed.

The MEC concluded that all systems were strengthened for identification, prevention, and management of examination irregularities.

The Minister of Basic Education is scheduled to announce the national 2026 NSC results on January 11, 2027, with the KZN Provincial announcement scheduled for January 12, 2027.

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