Ina Cronje
27 September 2006
November 2006 Senior Certificate and Adult Basic Education and Training
(ABET) examinations
1. Introduction
Across KwaZulu-Natal grade 12 learners and ABET learners, have intensified
their efforts to prepare for their end of year examinations. The count down has
already dropped to nine days. From 9 October 2006, a record number of learners
will sit down for this important examination.
Preparations for the grade 12 Senior Certificate and ABET levels one - four
examinations commenced in June 2005. Examiners and moderators were appointed;
question papers have been set and moderated by internal moderators and external
moderators from Umalusi, the body that standardises the examinations of all
provinces. Question papers are thoroughly checked for ambiguity in questions,
typographical errors, syllabus coverage and language usage. Departmental staff,
comprising administrative and professional staff have identified and corrected
errors that may be in question papers.
2. State of readiness
Printing and packaging of question papers are at an advanced stage. Security
in the delivery of question papers and storage is a priority. Schools will
receive their question papers only on the morning of the examination day, to
avoid mixing of papers, leakages, theft of question papers and any
irregularities. Stationery has been delivered to examination centres.
Principals of all schools in all twelve districts have been trained on
monitoring and invigilation, the duties of invigilators and chief invigilators,
irregularity procedures, concessions, and examination procedures. Security
measures are in place at the storage venues.
Oral, practical and the continuous assessment processes are being monitored,
moderated and data in these components are being captured.
The Department of Education has set 202 question papers for the Senior
Certificate examination. For the ABET examination, we have 48 question papers.
The magnitude of printing almost 20 000 000 scripts for the Senior Certificate
examination and approximately 5 000 000 scripts for the ABET examination, is a
formidable task.
3. Statistics: province and district
A total of 133 749 full-time and 41 387 part-time (private) candidates will
be sitting for the Senior Certificate examination. Statistics in respect of
district enrolment figures appear in the following tables:
Table one:
Enrolment figures per district: November 2006 Senior Certificate
examination
Obonjeni
Full-time: 10 654
Part-time: 1 636
Vryheid
Full-time: 14 169
Part-time: 3 357
Empangeni
Full-time: 13 833
Part-time: 4 626
Othukela
Full-time: 8 533
Part-time: 2 214
Umzinyathi
Full-time: 7 029
Part-time: 2 067
Amajuba
Full-time: 6 368
Part-time: 1 506
Umgungundlovu
Full-time: 11 564
Part-time: 4 537
Port Shepstone
Full-time: 11 288
Part-time: 2 523
Sisonke
Full-time: 5 977
Part-time: 1 060
Umlazi
Full-time: 19 745
Part-time: 10 963
Pinetown
Full-time: 16 111
Part-time: 5 009
Ilembe
Full-time: 8 478
Part-time: 1 889
Provincial total:
Full-time: 133 749
Part-time: 41 387
Total:
Full-time and part-time: 175 136
25 847 candidates will be offering the ABET examination. Statistics in
respect of each district appear in table two, below:
Table two:
Enrolment figures per district for the October 2006 ABET levels one � four
examinations
Obonjeni: 3 200
Vryheid: 1 755
Empangeni: 3 767
Othukela: 738
Umzinyathi: 1 235
Amajuba: 1 925
Umgungundlovu: 2 283
Port Shepstone: 1 978
Sisonke: 1 654
Umlazi: 1 940
Pinetown: 3 782
Ilembe: 1 590
Provincial total: 25 847
4. Time-table
Every candidate will be issued with personalised timetables shortly.
Composite timetables have been issued to all institutions as well. The Senior
Certificate examination commences on Monday, 9 October 2006, and ends on
Monday, 20 November 2006. The ABET examinations begin on 12 October 2006 and
terminate on 1 November 2006.
5. Marking of examination answer scripts
Marking of answer scripts will be done at 23 marking centres throughout the
province during November and December 2006, by a panel of approximately 7 500
markers. An administrative team of approximately 1 500 personnel will be
employed.
6. Release of results
Results will be released on Thursday, 28 December 2006. Schools will have
the results of all candidates on the same day.
7. Good luck
Teachers have been burning the midnight oil, parents have been motivating
and supporting and the department has pulled out all stops to assist schools
that performed poorly in the last matric examination. Now it is up to our
matrics to complete this last stretch of the race.
When students combine inspiration and hard work they will be rewarded with
good passes. The value of student effort can never be underestimated and study
habits are extremely important if one wants to achieve. Now is not the time to
panic. The best way to deal with the pressure and emotions you are going
through is to make sure that you are well prepared, by working hard and being
dedicated. Your matric certificate is the key to further education and
training. Don't allow any distractions to stand in your way. Once you have
obtained your matric certificate, nobody can take it away from you. Keep cool
heads, buckle down and study.
Issued by: Department of Education
27 September 2006
