Umalusi Approval Statement for 2023 Year-End Examination Results

Table 1: Comparing SACAI GETC adjustments by year, 2020-2023

Approval statement for the release of GETC: ABET results: SACA

Having studied all the evidence presented, the Executive Committee (EXCO) of Umalusi Council concluded that the examinations were administered largely in accordance with the South African Comprehensive Assessment Institute (SACAI) Policy for GETC: ABET external examinations. There were no systemic irregularities reported that might have compromised the overall credibility and integrity of the November 2023 General Education and Training Certificate: Adult Basic Education and Training (GETC: ABET) examinations administered by the South African Comprehensive Assessment Institute.

EXCO of Council approves the release of the SACAI November 2023 GETC: ABET examination results.

In respect of identified irregularities, the SACAI is required to nullify the results of the candidates implicated in the irregularities.

Umalusi emphasises the importance of submitting datasets for standardisation and resulting within the stipulated timeframes.

The SACAI is required to address the directives for compliance and improvement highlighted in the Quality Assurance of Assessment report and submit the improvement plan by 15 March 2024.

EXCO of Council commends the SACAI for conducting a successful examination.

NSC standardisation decisions: SACAI

The SACAI administered the NSC examinations in 25 subjects to 5 826 candidates at 103 examination centres. Compared to 2022, SACAI saw a candidate increase of 874 or 17.7% in 2023.

After   considering   all   the   evidence   available   at   the   time   of standardisation of the results, the ASC arrived at the following decisions:

a) raw marks were accepted for 14 subjects (56%),

b) results in 7 subjects (28%) were adjusted mainly upward, and

c) the results in the remaining 4  subjects (16%) were adjusted mainly downward.

Table 2: Comparing SACAI NSC adjustments by year, 2019-2023

Moving from 2022 to 2023 there were no significant changes in the direction of the adjustments.

Since  some  stakeholders  may  be  interested  to  know  the  actual standardisation decision per subject, we have tabulated the information in the statement. It will be published on the Umalusi website immediately after this briefing. Hard copies will also be distributed to you.

Table 3: Standardisation decisions per subject: SACAI NSC subjects

Approval statement for the release of NSC results: SACAI

Having studied all the evidence presented, EXCO of Council concluded that the examinations were administered largely in accordance with the Regulations Pertaining to the Conduct, Administration, and Management of the National Senior Certificate Examinations. The irregularities identified during the writing and marking of the examinations were not systemic and therefore did not compromise the overall credibility and integrity of the November 2023 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations administered by the South African Comprehensive Assessment Institute (SACAI).

EXCO of Council therefore approves the release of the SACAI November

2023 National Senior Certificate examination results.

In respect of identified irregularities, the SACAI is required to nullify the results of the candidates implicated in the irregularities.

Umalusi is concerned about SACAI’s failure to inform candidates about the change in the setworks for IsiZulu First Additional Language Paper 2 (poems and short stories). Furthermore, Umalusi emphasises the importance of submitting datasets for standardisation and resulting within the stipulated timeframes.

The SACAI Is required to address the directives for compliance and improvement highlighted in the Quality Assurance of Assessment report and submit an improvement plan by 15 March 2024.

EXCO of Council commends the SACAI for conducting a successful examination.

Standardisation and approval decisions for IEB

GETC: ABET standardisation decisions: IEB

The IEB’s 2023 GETC: ABET examinations were written by 585 candidates at 70 examination centres. This represents an increase of 25.3% or 118 candidates from last year’s 467 who wrote at 58 centres.

The results in the seven learning areas were standardised as follows:

a) raw marks were accepted in 4 (57.1%) learning areas,

b) mainly downward adjustments were made in 1 (14.3%), and

c) mainly upward adjustments were made in 2 (28.6%) learning areas.

Table 4: Comparing IEB GETC adjustments by year, 2020-2023

Approval statement for the release of GETC: ABET results: IEB

Having studied all the evidence presented, EXCO of Council concluded that the examinations were administered largely in accordance with the Independent Examinations Board (IEB) policy on the conduct, administration and management of examinations. There were no irregularities reported that might have compromised the overall credibility and  integrity of  the  November 2023  General  Education and  Training Certificate: Adult Basic Education and Training (GETC: ABET) examinations administered by the IEB.

EXCO of Council approves the release of the IEB November 2023 GETC: ABET examination results.

The IEB is required to address the directives for compliance and improvement highlighted in the Quality Assurance of Assessment report and submit the improvement plan by 15 March 2024.

EXCO of Council commends the IEB for conducting a successful examination.

NSC standardisation decisions: IEB

A total of 15 186 candidates (13 968 full-time and 1 218 part-time) wrote the NSC examinations at 275 examination centres under the IEB in 2023. Compared to 2022, the candidature increased by 1 650 (12.2%) while the number of examination centres increased by 13, from 262.

The IEB presented 60 subject results for standardisation and, after considering the available evidence,

a) raw marks were accepted in 48 subjects (80%) and

b) mainly upward adjustments were made in 12 subjects (20%). c) No subject was adjusted downward.

Table 5: Comparing IEB NSC adjustments by year, 2019-2023

There are two noteworthy points from these figures. The first is that for the first time since 2019 no subject was adjusted downward. The second point is that the number of subjects for which raw marks were accepted has been steadily increasing since 2021.

The next table presents the 60 subjects by the type of adjustments made for each.

Table 6: Standardisation decisions per subject: IEB NSC subjects

Approval statement for the release of NSC results: IEB

Having studied all the evidence presented, EXCO of Council concluded that the examinations were administered largely in accordance with the Regulations Pertaining to the Conduct, Administration, and Management of the National Senior Certificate Examinations. The irregularities identified during the writing and marking of the examinations were not systemic and therefore did not compromise the overall credibility and integrity of the November 2023 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations administered by the Independent Examinations Board (IEB).

EXCO of Council approves the release of the IEB November 2023 National

Senior Certificate examination results.

In respect of the identified irregularities, the IEB is required to nullify the results of the candidates implicated in the irregularities.

The IEB is required to address the directives for compliance and improvement highlighted in the Quality Assurance of Assessment report and submit an improvement plan by 15 March 2024.

EXCO of Council commends the IEB for conducting a successful examination.

Standardisation and approval decisions for DHET

This section of the approval statement focusses on the three sets of results of the examinations administered by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET). These are the General Education and Training Certificate: Adult Basic Education and Training (GETC: ABET), National Certificate Vocational (NCV: L2–- L4) and NATED Report 190/191 (N2–- N3).

GETC: ABET standardisation decisions: DHET

In 2023 the number of candidates who wrote the examinations increased by 3.4% to 38 022 in comparison to 36 742 candidates who wrote in 2022.

The DHET presented results in 26  learning areas and the following standardisation decisions were made:

a) raw marks were accepted in 11 learning areas,

b) 8 learnings areas were adjusted mainly upward, and c) 7 learning areas were adjusted mainly downward.

Table 7: Comparing DHET GETC adjustments by year, 2020-2023

Approval statement for the release of GETC: ABET results: DHET

Having studied all the evidence presented, EXCO of Council concluded that the examinations were administered largely in accordance with the National   Policy   Pertaining   to   the   Conduct,    Administration   and Management of the Examinations of Colleges,  Established, Declared or Registered in Terms of the Continuing Education and Training Act, 2006. The     irregularities  identified  during   the   writing  and  marking  of  the examinations were not systemic and  therefore did not compromise the overall credibility and integrity of the November 2023 General Education and Training Certificate: Adult Basic Education and Training (GETC: ABET) examinations administered by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET).

EXCO of Council therefore approves the release of the DHET November 2023 GETC: ABET examination results.

In respect of identified irregularities, the DHET is required to block the results of all candidates implicated in irregularities, including the candidates who are implicated in the alleged acts of dishonesty, pending the outcome of further DHET investigations and verification by Umalusi.

Notwithstanding the evidence of improvements, Umalusi remains concerned, as in November 2022, about the high number of reported irregularities. The DHET is required to address the directives for compliance and improvement highlighted in the Quality Assurance of Assessment report and to submit the improvement plan by 15 March 2024.

EXCO of Council commends the DHET for conducting a successful examination.

NC (V) Levels 2-4 standardisation decisions: DHET

The 2023 NC(V) Levels 2-4 examinations were written at 255 examination centres by 133 718 candidates, compared to the 164 898 candidates that were registered to write the examinations. This represents an absenteeism rate of 18.9% or 31 180 candidates.

Because  of  the  introduction  of  three  new  subjects  in  2023  (Basic Principles of Computer Programming and Computer Literacy, Electronics and Digital Concepts for Robotics, and Robotics Fundamentals) a total of 264 instructional offerings were submitted for standardisation.

The standardisation decisions taken are that:

a) raw marks were accepted for 170 subjects (64.5%),

b) mainly upward adjustments were made in 57 subjects (22%), and c) mainly downward adjustments were made in 37 subjects (13.6%).

Table 8: Comparing the DHET NCV adjustments by year, 2020-2023

The number of subjects for which raw marks were accepted increased to 170 this year from 146 in 2022. That is an increase of 16.4% or 24 subjects. As we have said, a year-on-year increase in the number of subject results for which raw marks are accepted is a sign of a maturing system, and it is highly commendable.

Approval statement for the release of NC(V) results: DHET

Having studied all the evidence presented, EXCO of Council concluded that the examinations were administered largely in accordance with the National Policy Pertaining to the Conduct, Administration and Management of the Examinations of Colleges, Established, Declared or Registered in Terms of the Continuing Education and Training Act. The irregularities identified during the writing and marking of the examinations were not systemic and therefore did not compromise the overall credibility and integrity of the November 2023 National Certificate (Vocational) [NC(V)] L2-L4 examinations administered by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET).

EXCO of Council therefore approves the release of the DHET November 2023 NC(V) L2-L4 examination results. The DHET is required to:

a. In respect of identified irregularities, block the results of all candidates implicated in irregularities including the candidates who are implicated in the alleged acts of dishonesty pending the outcome of further DHET investigations and verification by Umalusi.

b. Block the results of candidates and centres that failed to comply with ICASS and ISAT requirements pending the outcomes of further investigations by the DHET and verification by Umalusi.

c. Address the directives for compliance and improvement highlighted in the Quality Assurance of Assessment report and submit the improvement plan by 15 March 2024.

EXCO of Council commends the DHET for conducting a successful examination and recommends that the DHET takes the necessary steps to ensure the continued integrity of the NC(V) qualification.

N2-N3 standardisation decisions: DHET

Let me use the opportunity to remind the public that, in terms of the Government Gazette signed by the Minister of Higher Education and Training on 25 August 2023, the last opportunity for registering for the NATED Report 191 N1-N3 programmes was 31 December 2023. As from 1 January 2024, the N1-N3 programmes have entered a phase out period. The details of this phase-out process are available from the Department of Higher Education and Training.

This year’s N2-N3 examinations were written by 58 190 candidates (31 332 for N2 and 26 858 for N3) at 429 examination centres. Considering that 68 916 candidates (37 477 for N2 and 31 439 for N3) were enrolled, which is an expression of intention to write, the actual number of candidates who eventually wrote represents an absenteeism rate of 15.6% or 10 726 candidates.

Of the 57 instructional offerings that were submitted by the DHET for standardisation, Umalusi did not standardise Motor Trade Theory N2. The reason is that the DHET administered an incorrect question paper to 850 candidates who wrote at 98 out of 100 examination centres. It was only candidates at one centre each in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal who wrote the correct version of the question paper. Consequently, the DHET has arranged for this instructional offering to be re-written on 6 February 2024. Thereafter, the results will be submitted to Umalusi for standardisation and approval.

The following decisions were taken for the 56 instructional offerings that were standardised:

a) raw marks were accepted for 32 subjects (57.1%),

b) mainly upward adjustments were made in 13 subjects (23.2%), and c) mainly downward adjustments were made in 11 subjects (19.6%).

Table 9: Comparing the DHET NATED (N2-N3) adjustments by year

Approval statement for the release of N2-N3 results: DHET

Having studied all the evidence presented, EXCO of Council concluded that the examinations were administered largely in accordance with the National Policy Pertaining to the Conduct, Administration and Management of the Examinations of Colleges, Established, Declared or Registered in Terms of the Continuing Education and Training Act. The irregularities identified during the writing and marking of the examinations were not systemic and therefore did not compromise the overall credibility and integrity of the November 2023 NATED Report 190/191 Engineering Studies N2-N3 examinations administered by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET).

EXCO of Council therefore approves the release of the DHET November 2023 NATED N2-N3 examination results.

The DHET is required to:

a. In respect of identified irregularities, block the results of all candidates implicated in irregularities including the candidates who are implicated in the alleged acts of dishonesty pending the outcome of further DHET investigations and verification by Umalusi;

b. Nullify the November 2023 Motor Trade Theory N2 examination results; c. Block the results of candidates and centres that failed to comply with ICASS requirements pending the outcome of further investigations by the DHET and verification by Umalusi;

d. Develop a strategy to address the recurring irregularities that emanate mainly from private colleges and report on progress to Umalusi;

e. Submit a report on the action taken against officials implicated in irregularities; and

f. Address the directives for compliance and improvement highlighted in the Quality Assurance of Assessment report and submit the improvement plan by 15 March 2024.

EXCO of Council commends the DHET for conducting a successful examination.

In this final section of the statement, we look at the NSC examination results of the Department of Basic Education (DBE).

NSC standardisation decisions: DBE

The DBE administered the 2023 NSC examinations to 898 520 candidates. Of this number, 717 377 candidates were full-time while 181 143 were part-time. In comparison to last year’s total of 921 879, 2023 recorded a decrease of 23 351 (3%) candidates.

The examination was written at 6 889 centres and examination scripts were marked at 190 centres. The DBE presented a total of 66 subject results for standardisation and, after careful consideration of the narrative and statistical evidence available, the ASC made the following decisions:

a) raw marks were accepted for 49 subjects (74.2%),

b) mainly upward adjustments were made in 6 subjects (9.1%), and c) mainly downward adjustments were made in 11 subjects (16.7%).

Table 10: Comparing DBE NSC adjustments by year, 2019-2023

These figures show an upward trend in the number of subjects for which raw marks were accepted over the last three years. Importantly, the number of subjects for which marks were adjusted mainly upward decreased significantly from 16 in 2022 to 6 in 2023. As mentioned, this is a signal of a maturing system.

Approval statement for the release of NSC results: DBE

Having studied all the evidence presented, EXCO of Council concluded that the examinations were administered largely in accordance with the Regulations Pertaining to the Conduct, Administration, and Management of the National Senior Certificate Examinations. The irregularities identified during the writing and marking of the examinations were not systemic and therefore did not compromise the overall credibility and integrity of the November 2023 National Senior Certificate examinations administered by the Department of Basic Education (DBE). EXCO of Council therefore approves the release of the DBE November 2023 National Senior Certificate examination results.

In respect of identified irregularities, the DBE is required to block the results of all candidates implicated in irregularities including the candidates who are implicated in the alleged acts of dishonesty pending the outcome of the DBE investigations and verification by Umalusi.

Umalusi is concerned about the recurring instances of printing and packaging errors in question papers and the ongoing practice of group copying.

The DBE is required to address the directives for compliance and improvement highlighted in the Quality Assurance of Assessment report and submit an improvement plan by 15 March 2024.

EXCO of Council commends the DBE for conducting a successful examination on such a large scale.

International comparability of the NSC

I find it necessary to conclude this section by reminding the public about a recent Umalusi study titled ‘International Benchmarking of the National Senior Certificate’.

The study was conducted by Ecctis (formerly known as the UK NARIC) on behalf  of  Umalusi  and  it  benchmarked  the  NSC   against   five international qualifications, namely:

a) International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, b) Kenyan Certificate of Secondary Education,

c) New South Wales Higher School Certificate,

d) the Zimbabwean Forms 5-6 advanced level, and

e) Cambridge Assessment International Education AS and A Levels.

The overall conclusion of the study is that the NSC provides its holders with an internationally comparable level of education. The full report is accessible on the Umalusi website (www.umalusi.org.za).

Overall picture of 2023 end of year examinations

Based on the foregoing information, the overall picture of the 2023 end of year national examinations is that:

a) The examinations were written by 1 150 304 candidates, with the NSC candidates contributing 80% towards the total. The finer details are provided in Table 12 below.

Table 12: Number of candidates by qualification and assessment body

b) of the 510 subject results that were presented for standardisation, raw marks were accepted in 335 or 66% of the subjects, generally upward adjustments were made in 84 or 16% and generally downward adjustments were made in 91 or 18% of the subject results.

c) Umalusi has  noted specific issues that  require the attention of  the relevant assessment bodies. Whereas those issues will be included in the assessment body-specific composite report, it is worth mentioning that a high absenteeism rate has, once again, been noted in some of the subjects associated with the GETC examinations. Similarly, this qualification continues to record a high failure rate. This raises the question about the levels of support that candidates find in their learning and examination preparation experiences.

Conclusion

Umalusi  congratulates  all  the  assessment  bodies  for  successfully conducting and managing the 2023 end-of-year examinations. As evidenced by the numbers presented, the examination system is large and complex. It is not an easy task to ensure that (a) each one of the over 1.150 million candidates across the length and breadth of South Africa receives the correct question paper at the right time and in the correct venue, (b) individual scripts are collected and marked, (c) marks are verified and then transferred onto the computer systems and submitted to Umalusi for standardisation purposes, (d) standardisation decisions are implemented on the system and (e) that learners are resulted in a timely manner – all this done with proper attention to the integrity of the process. This is certainly most deserving of our commendation.

I wish to thank all the members of the Assessment Standards Committee under the chairpersonship of Professor Loyiso Jita and his deputy, Professor

’Mabokang Monnapula-Mapesela, who worked tirelessly to ensure the delivery of credible outcomes. This committee of 15 members, constituted by some of the finest minds drawn from various universities and research institutes in South Africa, is always willing to sacrifice valuable time during the festive season to  ensure the best outcome for  the South African learners.

I extend words of appreciation to my colleagues in EXCO of Council for investing time to consider the reports presented by the four assessment bodies and Umalusi, which led to the approval of the eight sets of results.

I also thank the CEO of Umalusi, Dr Rakometsi, his management team and staff for the excellent work that they do behind the scenes. The CEO and his team work tirelessly and under extreme time pressures to deliver the best for the country. Their commitment has ensured that South Africa’s education system is anchored in quality, credibility and integrity.

Umalusi congratulates all the learners who have succeeded in the 2023 examinations. Words of appreciation are also due to their teachers, parents, guardians and all those who have supported the learners throughout their journey – including the maintenance and cleaning staff at our schools and colleges, the taxi and other public and private transport drivers who take care in bringing our learners to school and the community members who show concern for the learning of our children. We thank all role players for ushering the Class of 2023 to this important day.

To those learners who have not succeeded, there is another chance for you in this year’s examinations. So, please do not give up - work harder and you will do better this year.

Wishing you all the best for 2024.

Professor Yunus Ballim

Chairperson: Umalusi Council