Preparations for the 2023 national senior certificate exams are in full swing as more than 98,000 grade 12 pupils from across the province prepare to sit for the finals.
The exams start on October 30; 953 venues have been confirmed as compliant with the department’s standards and will become official exam centres where 165 exam papers will be written.
Education MEC Fundile Gade said the content of the exams exerted a “great influence” on what teachers had taught and what pupils had studied.
“These exams are used both to certify that students have reached a prescribed level of learning, and to select pupils for the next level of the education system or for employment,” Gade said.
He said registration for full-time and part-time candidates had been completed with final clearance under way.
Of the 98,822 registered pupils in the province, Nelson Mandela Bay has the third highest number of registered candidates at 12,450 with the OR Tambo coastal district topping the list with 13,663 pupils registered.
A total of 1,404,319 copies of question papers will be printed for all subjects, with printing having started on October 4.
“Packing logistics were concluded in time and storage and nodal points are ready.
“The distribution plan is ready as well.
“Examination material is printed, stored, and distributed in a highly secured environment.
“The team is working closely with all state security agencies for guidance on safety and security of the examination’s material in the whole value chain,” Gade said.
Gade said the selection process for markers and examination assistants had been completed with 6,580 markers and 1,835 assistants appointed.
Marking will start on December 7, the day after exams end, with markers having two weeks to complete the process.
Gade said the department was committed to eliminate all behavioural offences and acts of dishonesty during the conduct, management and administration of the exams.
“There will be a zero tolerance for any examination irregularities.
“#ExaminationIrregularitiesMustFall is the mantra of the Eastern Cape NSC grade 12 class of 2023,” Gade said.
Gade confirmed results would be released by basic education minister Angie Motshekga on January 18 with provincial results announced the following day when statements of results will be available at all schools.
HeraldLIVE