Majority of Western Cape Candidates Sit Down to Write

Media Statement by Donald Grant, Minister of Education

This morning, the majority of National Senior Certificate candidates sat down to write the first written paper of the 2011 NSC.

A total of 14 975 learners were registered to write the English Home Language paper and 26 181 the English First Additional Language in the Western Cape.

I am pleased to announce that the day ran smoothly without any serious incidents.

I visited Groote Schuur High School to find out first hand from candidates how they felt about their first written examination of the 2011 NSC.

Today, the school's 96 Grade 12 candidates wrote the English Home Language paper.

Following the completion of the examinations, some of the candidates expressed relief that the first examination was over and that they thought the paper was "fair" and "comprehensive".

The school is aiming to achieve a 100% pass rate this year, compared to 99.1% in 2010 and 98.9% in 2009.

I am confident that they can achieve this target in 2011.

But today's exams were the first of many to come and I would like to appeal to all candidates to remain focused.

Exams are stressful, even for people who have worked hard consistently throughout the year.

Learners who feel that they need help with examination stress can telephone the department's Safe Schools Call Centre toll-free at 0800 45 46 47.

Tomorrow, learners enrolled to write Accounting and German, Hebrew and Portuguese Second Additional Languages will be completing these examinations. There are 9 158 candidates enrolled for Accounting, 193 for German Second Additional Language, 16 for Hebrew Second Additional Language and 23 for Portuguese Second Additional Language.