Over 77 000 candidates sit for 2024 matric exams

The education department will do everything to ensure the 2024 matric exams are not compromised.

These were the words of education MEC Cathy Dlamini during the Provincial Prayer Day for this year’s matric exams, at the Word of Life Bible Church on October 17.

Dlamini said the department was working collaboratively with the provincial security cluster. She explained that the printing of question papers was done by using more improved print equipment that had less human intervention. “The department has for the past 13 years managed incident-free exams where there was no leakage of question papers, and the intention is to sustain the success trajectory in these exams as well,” said Dlamini.

Asked what she meant by ‘an incident-free exam’ when hundreds of matriculants had their results withheld due to alleged cheating in 2021 and 2022, Dlamini asked the head of department, Lucy Moyane, to respond. “There is an ongoing appeal relating to that particular matter. We therefore can’t respond to a matter that is in the courts,” she said.

Nearly 400 learners whose 2022 matric results were withheld due to alleged cheating took the department to the Mbombela High Court. An acting judge ruled in favour of the affected learners and ordered the department to release the results, hence the appeal by the department. Meanwhile, the 2024 Grade 12 National Senior Certificate Examination started on Monday, October 21 and will proceed until November 28.

Dlamini said the department did everything humanly possible to prepare the learners for this year’s exams and for the management to be successful and go without any glitches. She said in total, 77 811 candidates were registered to write the 2024 NSC exams. “These consist of 67 231 full-time and 10 684 part-time candidates,” she said.

Ehlanzeni District registered the highest number of full-time candidates, 17 619, Bohlabela District registered 17 108, Nkangala District has 16 417 while Gert Sibande District registered the lowest, 16 087.

The breakdown of part-time candidates are as follows: Ehlanzeni District recorded the highest number, 4 230, Nkangala District registered 2 758, Bohlabela District registered 2 334 and Gert Sibande 1 362.

Resident monitors have been allocated to high-risk centres. As a proactive measure, monitors will work around the clock to ensure that there are no irregularities taking place.

Dlamini said the timetables were issued and the candidates were urged to collect them from the respective schools where they were registered to write. “The exams will take place in 575 centres, inclusive of 40 independent schools, spread across the four education districts,” she said.

Authorisation had been granted for some schools with space challenges to use alternative venues such as churches or community halls.

A total of 575 chief and deputy invigilators have been appointed and trained to strengthen the monitoring. “All our monitors have been trained to detect various irregularities,” said Dlamini. “Resident monitors have been allocated to high-risk centres. As a proactive measure, monitors will work around the clock to ensure that there are no irregularities taking place.”

An online daily reporting system would be utilised by both monitors and chief invigilators to provide a quick status of the state of the exams in the province.

Dlamini requested parents and communities to be mindful of the significant and positive impact of these exams and to play an active role towards its success. “We are making a plea to community members to desist from any action that may have the potential of disrupting it,” she said.

I urge all of you to strive to maintain good habits of hard work, pride, determination and resilience throughout this examination,” said Dlamini.

She said the provincial examination irregularity committee has been trained, and that all the candidates signed a pledge of good conduct on Friday, October 18. “The department takes a zero-tolerance approach to any form of irregularities,” Dlamini said.

She reminded the candidates of the words from Jim Ryun, an American politician and an Olympic track and field athlete. “‘Motivation is what sets you in motion, habits are what keeps you going.’ With these words, I urge all of you to strive to maintain good habits of hard work, pride, determination and resilience throughout this examination,” said Dlamini. “I wish to take this opportunity to extend my best wishes to the Class of 2024. I thank you.”