2013 National Senior Certificate Candidates Start Final Exam

The time has finally come for over 48 000 full time candidates in the Western Cape to put pen to paper in the 2013 National Senior Certificate examinations.

On Monday, 28 October, Grade 12 learners across the province wrote their first NSC examination - English Home Language, English First Additional Language and English Second Additional Language.

The numbers of full-time candidates registered to write these subjects are as follows:

On Tuesday, 29 October, candidates will be writing Accounting and IsiXhosa. The numbers writing are as follows: This afternoon, there are 482 candidates registered to write Music Paper 1.

All reports indicate that there were no major disruptions this morning.

On my visit to Gardens Commercial High School in Cape Town, however, I was informed that some learners had been concerned over transport delays on trains and taxis this morning. While I am relieved that they all managed to start their examination on time it places an unnecessary mental pressure on the learners just before they write their examination.

I have therefore called Minister Carlisle who has agreed to make contact with Metrorail and the taxi associations to assist us in ensuring that candidates get to their exam centres on time.

Candidates relying on public transport should, however, ensure that they leave home earlier so as to make up for any possible delays.

The department will continue to monitor all exam centres to ensure that both candidates and invigilators are safe and that their examinations are not disrupted or affected in any way.

Ensuring the integrity of the National Senior Certificate examinations is of utmost importance to the Western Cape Education Department.

This is a huge logistical exercise that requires careful planning and tight management.

Strict security measures are in place to prevent any possible leakages or irregularities.

Our dedicated and experienced team will be working hard to ensure that every candidate receives his/her paper on time.

Learners are also monitored during the examinations and markers have been trained to identify any irregularities in the examination.

I sincerely hope that all our candidates do both themselves and this Province proud and I urge them to stay calm and motivated during this final stretch. It is their opportunity to show what they know, to apply their minds and to excel.

Measuring the state of education in South Africa and in the Western Cape requires us to look beyond the matric pass rate and to consider other key indicators of success – such as the numbers passing and quality of passes achieved.

We are confident that we will see improvements in the quality and numbers passing this year. This is essentially more important than the pass rate on its own as it reveals an improvement in the system as a whole. Universities also look at the quality of the pass and set requirements for Bachelor’s Degree study and diploma study accordingly.

Results will be announced at schools on  7 January 2014.

Quote from Robin Carlisle – Minister of Transport and Public Works (Western Cape Government):

“I have contacted the management of SANTACO, Metrorail, Golden Arrow Bus Services (GABS) and MyCiti requesting that they make every attempt to ensure that scholars traveling to their examinations are not disrupted during this crucial time. I am confident that they will provide the necessary support and ensure that no scholar is prejudiced at this time. Parents are encouraged to make use of the avenues available to report delays that may threaten their children getting to their examinations on time,” said Minister Carlisle.

For information on all public transport, please call the Transport Information Centre on 0800 65 64 63 (Toll-free from a landline) where trained consultants will assist. This is a 24-hour call centre.

Also contact Metrorail at www.capemetrorail.co.za or www.gometro.mobi