The Department of Basic Education is pleased with the progress of the National Senior Certificate Grade 12 examinations. The examination period is about a third of the way through. A wide variety of papers have been written thus far.
Both papers for Mathematics and Mathematical literacy have been written involving all candidates that has fully tested the national examination system which is proving to be well organised and efficient. The successful completion of the second largest examination consisting of 100 926 English FAL repeat candidates, 477 500 English FAL full-time candidates and 20 SAL candidates, marks another milestone achieved thus far. This morning 54 796 Afrikaans Home Language candidates, 80 624 Afrikaans FAL candidates and 23 424 Afrikaans SAL candidates wrote the examination.
No irregularities have occurred which are of a nature that threatens the integrity of our processes. The irregularities that have been reported are technical and administrative in nature. For example, a few learners have arrived late, have forgotten their examination numbers or have fallen ill during the examination. However, the examination system has been strengthened to such an extent that no learners have been disadvantaged. The Department has acted swiftly to ensure that any administration irregularities have been resolved quickly and the examination process is running smoothly.
All provinces have reported readiness for the commencement of marking, starting with Gauteng on 19 November 2010.
Overall, the 2010 NSC examination proceed smoothly with the least number of challenges compared to any other year, notwithstanding the fact that this is the largest examination conducted in South Africa (more than 642 000 candidates enrolled) since 1996 and arguably since the first formal examination in South Africa recorded in 1858.
Enquiries:
Granville Whittle, Chief Director: Communications
Cell: 072 148 9575
Media statement from the Department of Basic Education on the National Senior Certificate Grade 12 examinations
