The 2016 National Senior Certificate (NCS) Grade 12 Examinations will start from 24 October and will proceed until the 29 November 2016.
The Mpumalanga Department has already put all systems in place to ensure the smooth running of the examinations which will take place in 552 examination centres within the four districts of the province.
There are 60764 full time and 7038 part time candidates that have registered for this examination this year.
Ehlanzeni District has registered the highest number of full time candidates at 17917 followed by Nkangala District at 15970; Bohlabela District has registered 13333 while Gert Sibande has registered 13373 full time candidates.
552 Chief Invigilators were appointed and their training was conducted on 29 August to 05 September 2016. Preliminary admission letters (time tables) have been issued to schools to prepare candidates and the final admission letters will be issued to learners on 14 October 2016.
All nerve and nodal points have been audited by DBE and Umalusi and reports issued to District Directors for attention where necessary.
All independent schools are allocated resident monitors that will be rotated on weekly basis.
A monitoring plan by senior management has been developed and finalised for implementation.
Training of Provincial Education Irregularities Committee (PEIC) and DAIC was successfully done on 16 September 2016. Investigations and hearings on irregularities will be conducted immediately after being reported.
Marking
4501 Markers have already been appointed. Marking will take place in 17 marking centres from 30 November 2016 to 14 December 2016.
These markers will be paid in accordance to the frame work that governs their appointment contracts.
Signing of the Pledge
All candidates are expected to sign the pledge of good conduct on 14 October 2016. Learners are urged to use the remaining time productively and to stay focused.
Trauma and Counselling Services
The Department has established a trauma Counselling Support Service for leaners, parents and teachers during this period. This service can be accessed by phoning the Departmental Toll free line 0800 203 116 during office hours.
Prayer Session
The Department in collaboration with the Moral Regeneration Movement will organise prayer sessions in keeping to the tradition as follows:
Nkangala and Gert Sibande District
Date: 18 October 2016 (Tuesday)
Venue: Pienaarsdam Lodge (Steve Tshwete Local Municipality)
Time: 12h00
Bohlabela and Ehlanzeni District
Date: 20 October 2016 (Thursday)
Venue: Ingwenyama Lodge (Mbombela Local Municipality)
Time: 12h00
2016 Target
The department intends to improve the 2016 results by 10% from the current 78.6% to 88.6%.
Announcement of Results
The 2016 announcement of results will be on 05 January 2017 at the former Marapyane Agricultural College in Dr. JS Moroka Local Municipality.
Conclusion
I take this time to extend our appreciation to all our stakeholders including Teachers, Learners, Parents, Teacher Unions, Traditional Leaders, the Moral Regeneration Movement and School Governing Bodies for making 2016 an incident free year.
I further request these stakeholders to continue to create a favourable environment for the smooth running of the teaching and learning process including the smooth running of the examination.
The department will do its part to ensure that the 2016 examination process is in keeping with the trends of the past seven years by being free from any incident.
I take this opportunity on behalf of the department to express our best wishes to the Grade 12 Class of 2016.
Ngiyabonga.
