The Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga, is wishing all the matriculants of the class of 2009 well with their examinations. The Minister said, “There are only a few days left before the start of your matric examinations. This is a crucial and challenging time for you. The results you achieve in the November Senior Certificate Examinations will determine your choice of career and your future.”
The national Grade 12 examinations will start on 26 October 2009. All provinces have reported that they are ready and well prepared for the examinations and the Department of Basic Education will continue to monitor and support provincial education departments in the final preparations and administration of the examinations.
A total of 581 573 full time candidates will sit for the examinations, with an additional 38 595 learners who will be sitting as repeat candidates i.e. offering one or more subjects having been unsuccessful in the 2008 examinations. Learners will write 197 papers that will be marked by more than 30 000 markers. This means that around 12 million marks will be captured during the entire process.
The Minister pointed out that an examination of this magnitude is obviously highly dependent on the human factor, but wants to assure all those who will be sitting for the examinations that the department is working closely with the provincial departments, the South African Police Services (SAPS) and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) to ensure that the security of the examinations is not compromised. Where breaches do occur, the department will deal with them very firmly. However, the Department of Basic Education has taken all the necessary measures to ensure that we are able to deal with any event or incident that may compromise the integrity of the examination.
To all matriculants the Minister said, “I want to wish you well with your examinations. I hope that you will work hard and do your best. You are always in my thoughts and prayers as you prepare for your examinations.”
Source: Department of Education
