How This Year's Matric Exams Will Work?

 

The Matric Class of 2021 have been through a challenging year and are currently preparing to write their final examinations which will officially begin on 27 October and end on 7 December 2021.

On Friday 8 October during the media briefing on the developments in the Basic Education Sector, an update was given on the state of readiness for the National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations.

Last year the Grade 11 Class of 2020 struggled to finish the curriculum however, through the hard work of teachers they were able to complete the 2021 curriculum and still have time to revise their work. 

The remote learning interventions of the DBE and its partners, in conjunction with the camps, have assisted in terms of curriculum coverage. The Basic Education Department has its best to decrease the negative impact of the pandemic on teaching and learning.

Priscilla Ogunbanjo, the Director of Public Exams, announced that 735 677 full-time and 162 109 part-time candidates will be writing the examinations.

During the examinations, all health and safety protocols will be set in place to ensure the safety of learners and invigilators. 

According to Ogunbanjo, all candidates including those who tested positive for COVID-19 or show any symptoms will be allowed to write the exams. Isolation rooms have been set up at examination centres for those who test positive for COVID-19 or show symptoms while writing. Some PEDs have also established designated centres for these candidates.

Learners with Special Educational Needs will be accommodated during the examinations to ensure that they are not disadvantaged. 

Before the exams, all learners will sign the pledge at a public ceremony to confirm their non-participation in acts of dishonesty during the writing of the examinations. 

Parents or legal guardians and learners will need to sign a Commitment Agreement where they bind themselves to support the writing of an irregularity free examination.

The DBE and PEDs are doing all they can to strengthen their security measures to ensure that there is no leaking of exam papers.

Marking has been scheduled to take place on 8 December and end on 22 December 2021.

Results are set to be released on 21 January 2022.