The basic education examination system will be stress-tested on Monday morning when more than 727,000 candidates sit for English Paper 3 at 9am in 6,900 centres across the country.
As a result of this the Department of Basic Education (DBE) has sought to assure the nation that it is ready to administer these exams.
Basic Education Minister, Ms Siviwe Gwarube, has today officially declared the country ready for the 2024 Grade 12 final examinations.
She was speaking during a media briefing, held on Sunday in Pretoria, on the state of readiness by the Department and 9 Provincial Education Departments (PEDs) to administer the exams.
Gwarube was joined by Deputy Minister Dr Reginah Mhaule, Director-General Mathanzima Mweli and senior officials from the department.
The Minister reminded the public that this cohort of learners were in Grade 8 at the height of the COVID pandemic, but teaching and learners measures were put in place to ensure they are ready for this final step in their schooling career.
“Some key initiatives supporting the Class of 2024 have included personalised learning interventions, additional teaching support, and socio-emotional care. Equally, provinces rolled out face-to-face extra tuition sessions, Saturday catch-up programmes, and extended school hours in key subjects—especially to learners who struggled to cope with the curriculum content due to earlier disruptions,” Gwarube said.
These however were not the only initiatives that were put in place, with the last push programme taking effect across the country from after the preliminary examinations were concluded. The programme, with the theme ‘Walk with them until the last day of the examination’, ensures learners can consolidate their learning ahead of the final exams.
“In the Last Push, we have seen learners give their complete focus and attention to the upcoming matric exams,” said Gwarube
The DBE is adamant to once again maintain the integrity of the examinations, and to do so 70 part-time monitors have been deployed to oversee high-risk centres. In the country, there are 987 high risk centres, a consistent concern for the department.
“Firstly, if you are administrating the Grade 12 exams for the first time, you are a high risk centre, because that centre has no background or credibility to take on this big task. Secondly, a centre that has a history of irregularities. The Department has taken over these high risk centres and more resources have been deployed to ensure there aren’t any irregularities,” explains Mweli.
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued warnings of inclement weather in parts of the country, including in KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape, but the department says they are ready to rescue the matric class of 2024 should the need arise.
Gwarube had to this to say to the over 800 000 full time and part time candidates sitting for the exams “This is your moment to shine. You have worked hard over the past 12 years, and now you have the opportunity to showcase your knowledge, skills, and determination. We are confident that you will approach these exams with the focus, discipline, and commitment that have brought you this far. Please stay off Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and other social media to minimise disruptions during this critical time.”
The Exams conclude on 28 November 2024, with the results to be released on 14 January 2024