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The final National Senior Certificate examination for Grade 12 learners will now start on 27 October 2021. The exams were initially scheduled for 1 November 2021.
The Department of Basic Education elaborates that English (Home Language, First Additional Language and Second Additional Language) P1, Business Studies P1, and the Non-Official Languages P1 will now be on 27 October and 28 October, not on 1 November and 2 November 2021.
The Council of Education Ministers (CEM) made the decision during a special meeting on Wednesday morning, 15 September 2021. The CEM meeting took place following consultations with key stakeholders in the Basic Education sector. Which included Teacher Unions, School governing Body Associations and Professional Bodies.
The purpose of the consultation sessions was to deliberate on the most appropriate option regarding a change to the timetable, given that they are five weeks away from the commencement of the examination.
The upcoming elections, according to the Department, necessitates the relevant changes. Learners eligible to vote would now be able to cast their ballots.
There are 207 question papers to be written over 25 days (5 weeks), and there are no vacant sessions in the current 25-day timetable; hence the re-scheduling needed to be confined to either:
- Prior the commencement date, or
- Post the conclusion date.
The Department further states, “The best interest of the learner was a key consideration in addition to ensuring that a minimum change to the current timetable was made to avoid confusion.”
The Department of Basic Education urges candidates preparing for the examination to keep working hard. Further stating that they have made available a wide range of resources to assist the learners with support materials on different platforms through the Remote and Digital Learning Programme Woza Matrics.
The learning materials will be delivered across these channels:
- DBETV channel 122 on Openview
- SABC1
- DSTV CatchUp
- Showmax
The allocated times for the learning materials are Mondays and Thursdays from 11 pm until 12 am, Saturdays from 6 am until 10 am, and Sundays from 7 am until 8 am.
Over and above these times, the DBE TV is a 24/7 channel with more matric focused revision evening programmes. Additionally, the Woza Matrics programme also has psycho-social support, tutor support and exciting competitions.
How to access more information on the Woza Matrics programme:
- Website: www.wozamatrics.co.za(link is external)
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wozamatrics/(link is external)
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/wozamatrics(link is external)
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wozamatrics/(link is external)
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/wozamatrics(link is external) WhatsApp: 061 505 3023
What are your thoughts on the matric examinations being moved? Share your views in the comment section below.
