South Africa : Marking of matric exam papers completed without any glitches

By Gabi Khumalo

Pretoria - The process of marking the matric examination papers has been completed without any hiccups being reported to the Department of Education.

According to the department, the marking has gone well, with moderators completing the marking in time and without complaints.

A total of 593 000 Grade 12 learners, 28 225 more than last year, sat for this year's exams in 6 500 examination centres across the country.

This year was the first time that all Grade 12 learners in public schools wrote the same examinations set on the new National Senior Certificate Examinations (NSC).

Under the NSC, there is no longer a Higher or Standard Grade option and all papers are written on one Grade. All matriculants have to choose either mathematics or mathematical literacy and they all have to take Life Orientation which is assessed internally.
"We quite happy with the way things went at the marking stations and now waiting for the release of the results," Education spokesperson Lunga Ngqengelele told BuaNews.

The department reported that only minor irregularities like schools starting late due to floods and electricity problems were reported during the examination period.

This year, matric results will first be made available to all schools and learners on 29 December before being published in the morning newspapers on 30 December. Education Minister Naledi Pandor will also officially release them on 30 December. - BuaNews