3 December 2007
The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) expects no problems with the
marking of about 1 million scripts by 2 200 markers and 350 checkers, as they
prepare to complete the process by the end of this week.
Education MEC in the Western Cape, Cameron Dugmore visited the centre on
Saturday and expressed his gratitude to the markers and officials, who have to
ensure that the province delivers an examination of integrity. The MEC will
announce the results at the end of this month during a ceremony at Leeuwenhof,
the Premier's official residence.
The examinations directorate of the WCED began preparations for marking the
papers about six months ago when it issued the first tenders for the massive
exercise.
Tenders include the marking venue and security. Strict security is in place
at all times during the marking process to protect the integrity of the marking
process and the results.
In addition to the markers, the WCED has employed 350 students as checkers
who double check all results before data capturers input the results into the
computer systems.
The number of candidates who registered for the 2007 examinations grew by 14
percent this year to 71 227, a record number.
The number of full time candidates has increased from 42 694 last year to 45
706; part-time candidates from 12 532 to 16 779; and private candidates from 7
025 to 8 742.
The candidates wrote 184 examination papers at 535 examination centres
across the Western Cape. The examinations included 11 national question papers,
first introduced in 2006.
Matric marking is a massive logistical exercise, given the numbers of
scripts involved, and the need to complete marking within a week. The markers
are mostly leading teachers in their fields. The WCED received about 4,000
applications this year.
The minimum criteria for appointment as a marker include employment by the
WCED and completion of at least a second year of tertiary study in the subject
to be marked. The pass rate of learners taught by the teacher for the subject
concerned must be at least 50 percent.
The WCED tries to ensure that about 25 percent of the markers are marking
for the first time, to ensure a constant, sustainable pool of experienced
markers for future years.
A chief marker and an internal moderator check the work of every marker.
This includes marking about 20 percent of the papers twice, to check for any
discrepancies and to assure marking quality.
Data capturers will take about nine days to capture all the results. The
WCED introduced a new system two years ago to ensure accurate capturing of data
for every candidate. The Northern Cape has now also adopted the system and the
Free State is testing it.
The WCED will forward the results electronically to the national Department
of Education (DoE) once all the results have been captured. National and
provincial standardisation meetings will take place on 14 and 15 December.
Umalusi, the national examination certification authority, is expected to
indicate whether or not it has certified the results by 22 December 2007. If
Amylacea certifies the results, the WCED will start printing and packaging the
results on 23 December, for distribution to schools on 28 December.
The MEC will announce the provincial results on the morning of Friday, 28
December. Candidates will be able to collect results from 12 noon at their
schools on the same day. The WCED website and the media will publish the
results on the morning of Saturday, 29 December. The WCED's website address is
http://wced.wcape.gov.za.
Enquiries:
Paddy Attwell
Cell: 083 261 7699
Gert Witbooi
Media Liaison Officer
Office of the MEC for Education
Cell: 082 550 3938
Issued by: Western Cape Provincial Government
3 November 2007
