Department of Basic Education ‘’all systems go’’ ahead of 2016 NSC examinations
The Department of Basic Education is ready to administer the 2016 Grade 12 National Senior Certificate examination. The Department is hard at work to ensure that the examination is of the appropriate standard, error-free and with no irregularities.
A team from DBE briefed the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education today on the state of readiness for this year's examinations. Registration of centres and candidates has been completed and final verification of the data is currently underway. Question papers have been set and externally moderated.
There are 677,141 registered full time and 150,183 part-time candidates in 2016 examinations, 9000 more than 2015.
KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng have the largest enrolments again with 169 769 and 112 069 respectively. Limpopo has 102, 618 while Eastern Cape 89,740 candidates registered for the 2016 grade 12 exams.
Enrolment figures showed an increase in the uptake of mathematics and a decline in those choosing Maths Literacy at this level.
The Head of Public Examinations and Assessments at DBE, Dr Rufus Poliah, told the portfolio committee that the education sector had recorded tremendous improvements in access, redress and equity. He said learning outcomes have shown an upward trend in the national, regional and international tests.
Dr Poliah said that the department did not only focus on system readiness but that it was implementing programmes to ensure that learners received support.
He said the department had put in place measures to complement normal teaching and learning programmes to bring about improvements in performance since 2014. These include; language support, subject specific content support, tracking learner performance, and support for progressed learners.
To avert the leakage of 2016 question papers, all storage points across the country will be audited to ensure they comply with the minimum security standards. Storage points that do not comply will not be allowed to store question papers.
The examinations will commence on 26 October and conclude on November 29. The Minister of Basic Education will announce the outcome of the 2016 Grade 12 exams on January 4, 2017. Candidates will collect their statements of results on January 5 at the place where they wrote their examination.
Enquiries:
Elijah Mhlanga
Cell: 083 580 8275
Troy Martens
Cell: 079 899 3070
