Good morning, ladies and gentlemen of the media,
Thank you for honouring our invitation to join us for this media briefing this morning as we start to administer the 2026 May/June National Senior Certificate (NSC) and Senior Certificate (SC) examinations.. We appreciate that we can rely on you to keep the public informed about developments in the education sector.
Let me start by introducing the management team of the department of education led in the province by the HOD, Mr Ngcobo.
Today, Monday 11 May 2026, thousands of candidates across our province entered the examination halls to write these important exams. To every full-time and part-time NSC candidate, and to every adult learner writing the Senior Certificate – I say this from the bottom of my heart: good luck, and may you do yourselves proud.
These examinations are more than just tests of knowledge. They represent second chances, new beginnings, and doors of opportunity for many who are determined to improve their lives. Whether you are a young person rewriting subjects or an adult learner pursuing your matric qualification later in life, your courage and commitment is an inspiration to many.
We have worked hard as a Department to ensure that these examinations is conducted with the highest levels of integrity, security, and fairness. Our examination centres are ready. Our invigilators are trained. Our question papers are secure. We will not tolerate any form of malpractice. Cheating, leaking of papers, or any irregular conduct will be dealt with swiftly and decisively in terms of the law. The credibility of our qualifications must be protected at all costs.
The Department of Education in KwaZulu-Natal is combat ready to administer the 2026 National Senior Certificate (NSC) and Senior Certificate (SC) examinations for the 25 399 registered candidates. These candidates will be sitting for the TWO examination systems namely:
- National Senior Certificate designed for candidates who wrote their matric examinations from 2008 onwards, 14 240 registered.
- Senior certificate designed for candidates who wrote their matric examinations before 2008, and qualifying candidates who have never sat for matric examinations, 11 159 registered.
Our examination system has trained approximately 1 000 invigilators to manage the examination sessions in approximately 900 examination rooms.
The distribution of examination material will be done through 13 storage points and 103 distribution and collection centres. The Province of KwaZulu-Natal will print 99 question papers, which will total 8 076 000 prints. There will be 23 morning and 29 afternoon sessions in the 2026 National Senior Certificate examination.
The Department have embarked on advocacy training of Chief Invigilators and Invigilators. The district's core team has also done training of Chief Invigilators and Invigilators so that we have irregularity-free examinations. The Department has all systems in place including to deal with inclement weather and the continuous engagement with JOCOM to ensure that the examinations are credible.
As a Department, markers have been selected and letters will be released on or before 19th June 2026. A total of 681 markers and 65 Internal Moderators will be appointed. Marking Session will commence on the 3rd July and conclude on the 9th July 2026. Results will be released on 7th August 2026.
Given all the preparations, the Department of Education in KwaZulu-Natal is confident of the readiness for the 2026 May/ June National Senior Certificate and Senior Certificate examinations.
Our gratitude also goes to organised labour for the passion that they always display, not only for the interest of educators, but for the well-being and academic excellence of the child. We also want to thank the members of the KZN Legislature led by Speaker Honourable Boyce NN, especially the Portfolio Committee on Education, led by the Chairperson Honourable Buthelezi PATN.
The Members of the Provincial Legislature played their oversight role with one interest and one interest only, that of seeing all government resources directed towards the upliftment of education.
To all candidates, I urge you:
- Arrive early at your centres with your admission letter and valid ID.
- Follow all examination rules strictly.
- Stay calm, read questions carefully, and manage your time well.
- Believe in the hard work you have put in.
To parents, guardians, teachers, and communities: your role remains crucial. Support these candidates with encouragement, a quiet space to study, and positive energy in these final hours.
We are confident that the Class of 2026 and all our SC candidates will approach these exams with discipline and determination. Your success is our success. Your future is the future of our province.
As we conclude these May/June examinations, we will simultaneously begin our preparations for the 2026 National Senior Certificate (matric) examinations. Our mid-term common exams will start on the 8th June 2026. These assessment are critical barometer for us as the department as well as for the learners. These midterms give students concrete information about their understanding while there is still time to improve. Midterm data helps us to evaluate curriculum effectiveness, teaching quality. This is the data we rely on to focus our interventions on underperforming schools and learners.
The comprehensive roadmap towards those examinations will be released and shared with the public through the media in due course.
We are already nearing the half way mark, and the end of the second term of the 2026 school year which has not been without its challenges, but we have also recorded a number of milestones and crafted a clear path for the future of education in the province. We will be sharing some of these details during our budget vote on the 12th June 2026.
Once again, to every candidate –stay focused, and write with confidence. The nation is watching and rooting for you. We will continue to monitor the examinations closely and keep the public informed. Results will be released in due course.
Thank you for your attendance and for your attention. Please continue to promote access to information to all people of South Africa.
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