There have been fears about the impact that Eskom’s blackouts could have on matric results for the class of 2023. The education department has now been called on to answer for its readiness, as over 900,000 candidates are expected to write.
Despite power utility, Eskom’s recent announcement that ongoing load shedding will remain in place, the Department of Basic Education (DBE) has indicated that the year-end exams will go on as scheduled.
The official exam season will kick off on 31 October with language papers. The department has advised learners to review the load-shedding schedules and plans their study sessions accordingly, while also promising to work with the Department of Energy to keep the lights on during the exam period.
It is all systems that go in terms of the administration of the examinations. Our teams have been going around the country to check with provinces, especially areas that uMalusi had indicated needed further attention.
Cheating has also been cited as a major concern by the department, and the department has also stated that they currently have an ongoing case relating to such an incident. The case involves a department official who leaked scripts and is due to resume during the first week of December.
The DBE’s spokesperson further states that this is intended to send a stern warning against those that would consider participating in exam irregularities.
“That we do to make sure that people understand that if they get involved in irregularities they are going to be dealt with in terms of the law and we have a tight case in this one and we’re going to use it to show that if you do anything to this level you are going to be dealt” he added
The number of exam candidates has also reportedly increased considerably from the previous year to 923 460, with 755 981 full-time candidates and 167 479 part-time candidates. This has resulted in the expansion of the Department’s systems, facilities as well as the number of markers.
