Minister Schäfer Wishes Matrics Well Ahead of 2014 NSC Exams

 

Next week, thousands of Grade12 learners will sit down to write their 2014 National Senior Certificate (NSC) Examinations.

 

Preparing for the National Senior Certificate examinations is a huge logistical exercise that requires careful planning and tight management. 

 

I am pleased that the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) is prepared and ready for the examinations. Candidates writing Computer Applicant Technology and Information Technology will begin their exams on 20 October 2014, with the majority of candidates writing their first exam, English on Monday 27 October 2014.  

 

The Western Cape Education Department has finalised its candidate lists for the 2014 NSC.

 

This year 61 065 candidates will be writing the NSC.  49 271 full-time candidates registered for these examinations. There are a further 11 794 part-time candidates registered for the 2014 exam.

 

The examinations will be written between 20 of October and 28 of November 2014 at 438 examination centres across the province and will end the final exam on 29 November 2014.

 

Candidates are, however, required to be available up to 4 of December for any eventuality – such as the need to rewrite a paper.

 

118 examination papers are to be written and over 800 000 examination scripts distributed. 

 

1 200 invigilators have been appointed to monitor and assist in the examination process. A training programme across the province was provided in September to ensure that all principals, exam centre managers, chief invigilators at all exam centres received the appropriate training, especially in the implementation of new exam procedures adopted, to enhance the security and integrity of the examination system.

 

The marking of the examinations will take place from 5 December 2014 to 14 December 2014. The WCED has appointed 3 099 markers to mark the examination scripts.

 

In the Western Cape, we continue to take positive steps to improve on the quality of marking in the NSC, this includes competency testing for markers in the NSC examinations. 

 

We want to ensure there is the highest possible standard of marking in these examinations and that all our markers are both competent and experienced in their subject fields. This year, the WCED conducted competency testing for markers in ten subjects. These subjects included Accounting, Business Studies, Geography, History, Life Science, Physical Sciences, Mathematics, Consumer Studies, Economics and Maths Literacy.

 

To ensure that the mark calculations of our markers are correct, the WCED has appointed 520 mark checkers.

The much anticipated results of the NSC are expected to be announced on 5 of January 2015 by Minister Motshekga. Schools and candidates will receive their results on the 6 January 2015.

 

We encourage all our candidates for the 2014 NSC examinations to stay focused and to put in the hard work required to prepare for the upcoming examinations.

 

Matric candidates can view a wide range of matric revision videos on our YouTube channel. They provide guidance on how to tackle specific questions in the exams. The "Tips for Success" booklet and support videos can be found on the website.

 

I would also like to thank all the educators, family members and care givers for their support thus far. I trust that you will continue supporting our Grade 12’s until their final examination.

 

To the Grade 12’s, I have every confidence that you will make yourselves and the Western Cape proud.

Wishing you all the very best of luck.