The Ministry and Department of Basic Education are pleased to announce that it is all systems go for the year-end 2011 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations for Grade 12. The rest of the grades, Grade R to 11 are also ready.
We would like to assure the nation of our readiness to administer the Grade 12 exams as interest is largely on this level of study, although for us the focus is on the entire system, for an improved quality of basic education across all grades.
The 2011 NSC examinations will start on 24 October 2011 and end on 1 December 2011.
The department assures learners, parents, and broader society, indeed all who are concerned, that all the necessary steps within our means have been taken to deliver a successful exam.
This is the fourth examination under the new curriculum. Since the first, in 2008, our examination system has stabilised impressively. The department will use experiences of the past three years to ensure, as far as possible, this important exercise is not compromised.
The department has conducted an intensive audit of the examination and assessment system in all nine provinces. Provinces have received additional support for professional and successful exams.
Provincial departments use as a guide the policy on the conduct, administration and management of the National Senior Certificate Examinations. All provinces have confirmed that schools have met requirements to serve as examinations centres.
Registration of candidates for the 2011 NSC examinations commenced in March 2011. By 31 June 2011, all provinces had finalised the registration of candidates. At least two preliminary schedules were sent to schools for checking and verification of registration data. Letters of admission to exams will be sent to schools by 30 September 2011. Registration statistics at this stage follows:
| 2011 | |||
| Province | Full Time | Part time | Total |
| Eastern Cape | 68,253 | 16,183 | 84,436 |
| Free State | 26,792 | 2,184 | 28,976 |
| Gauteng | 88,048 | 34,740 | 122,788 |
| KwaZulu Natal | 126,874 | 22,556 | 149,430 |
| Limpopo | 74,605 | 12,678 | 87,283 |
| Mpumalanga | 49,630 | 5,980 | 55,610 |
| North West | 25,934 | 3,125 | 29,059 |
| Northern Cape | 10,547 | 1,630 | 12,177 |
| Western Cape | 41,346 | 9,161 | 50,507 |
| Total | 512,029 | 108,237 | 620,266 |
The department has set a total of 258 question papers nationally for the November 2011/March 2012 examinations. 132 of these question papers will be used for the November 2011 examinations. In addition, the Independent Examination Board has set 67 question papers for all non-official languages.
Of this number, 53 question papers have been adapted for Braille and 45 question papers have been adapted for deaf learners. Braille and papers for deaf learners will be handed to provincial departments on 7 October 2011.
Comments from the 2010 examinations were considered and inputs incorporated during the setting of the 2011 question papers. All question papers handed out to provincial departments were moderated and approved by Umalusi and were deemed to be of the appropriate standard and quality.
During state of readiness visits, storage facilities for question papers, security of distribution points and nodal points were audited to reduce risks and potential threats, like ‘leaked papers’. In this regard, recommendations were sent to provincial departments so that they can intensify security of question papers.
There are 6540 examination centres. Exam sessions will be closely monitored by provincial departments and national office.
Marking will start on 2 December 2011 and will conclude on 15 December 2011, across most provinces. The Gauteng department will adopt a staggered approach to marking and will begin with the marking process on 9 November 2011. Marking will take place across 123 marking centres and will involve an estimated 35 000 markers. Provinces have added various additional criteria to ensure the best markers are appointed. The department will appoint a team of moderators and monitors to quality assure processes at the marking centres.
The department will conduct marking guideline discussions for all subjects in Pretoria wherein chief markers and internal moderators from all provinces will interrogate the guideline. At this marking guideline discussion, training will be provided for uniform application of the marking guideline. We can confirm confidently that we’re ready to administer a credible 2011 NSC examination. Necessary steps were taken to tackle potential risks.
Once again, we call upon the whole of South Africa to mobilise support for all our learners, in all grades, including the ‘Class of 2011’. We did it last year when times were tough. Working together we can do even better.
The media is an important social partner. Help us galvanise support for ‘Hands up for Education!’ and get our nation to support the ‘Class of 2011’. The media has been phenomenal over the years, with valuable and high-quality supplements provided, among other things.
The countdown has begun in earnest, with only 30 days to go before matric exams.
We thank all educators, parents, teacher unions, governing bodies, learner representative councils, corporate South Africa and broader society for the hard work and support thus far. Education is a societal issue.
Good luck to all our learners!
Enquiries:
Panyaza Lesufi
Cell: 072 148 9575
