The 2024 National Senior Certificate Examinations kick-started on Monday, 21 October, across the country.
This year, 882 336 Grade 12 learners sat for the first English paper. In private schools, 16 400 candidates are undertaking the Independent Examinations Board (IEB) exam. The exams will conclude on Thursday, 28 November, with the last paper for both IEB) and NSC pupils.
The Department of Basic Education announced that it has taken stringent security precautions to maintain the integrity of examinations by collaborating with the National Joint Operations Committee (NatJocs) and the Provincial Joint Operations Committee (ProvJocs). This is to safeguard the integrity of the examination process.
Minister Siviwe Gwarube said the department has completed audits of all storage facilities across the country to ensure they meet the required standards for secure handling of examination materials.
“All exam materials will be stored under strict conditions. Provincial Education Departments (PEDs) have been equipped with Standard Operating Procedures to ensure the safe, and secure handling of question papers from printing to distribution,” she said.
The department will monitor 6334 public schools and 575 independent examination centres.
Additionally, 70 part-time monitors have been deployed to oversee high-risk centres.
“At least 70% examination centres will be monitored per session. These efforts will help to prevent irregularities such as group copying or leakage of exam papers. Distribution trucks will be equipped with tracking systems to monitor their movements, ensuring that question papers reach exam centres on time and without compromise”, said Gwarube.
Limpopo province has 124 630 candidates enrolled for the Grade 12 National Senior Certificate, with 94 214 being full-time and 30 416 part-time repeat candidates. There is a 210 decrease in full-time candidates from 2023. The province is aiming for a minimum of 80%.
Meanwhile the provincial department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism, is calling on Liquor industry stakeholders to do their part in ensuring that matric learners have a peaceful environment in their respective communities to focus on their final year exams.
MEC Tshitereke Matibe said his department, the Limpopo Liquor Board, with the help of parents and police will be keeping a keen eye on Liquor Outlets to see that learners are not disturbed.
“By virtue of being located in the middle of communities where schools and homes are and where learners across the province are studying, the responsibility rests on taverns and other liquor outlets to make sure that they do not make noise for learners during this vital time of the year.
Complains about liquor outlet noise from community members and schools will not be taken lightly,” he said.