The Northern Cape MEC for Education, Abraham Vosloo, said that the Class of 2024, which began writing their final exams on Monday, was the group of pupils who “suffered the most” during the Covid-19 pandemic. He noted that these matric pupils had lost the most learning time during the pandemic.
THE NORTHERN Cape MEC for Education, Abraham Vosloo, said that the Class of 2024, which began writing their final exams on Monday, was the group of pupils who “suffered the most” during the Covid-19 pandemic. He noted that these matric pupils had lost the most learning time during the pandemic.
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“These pupils were in Grade 8 when the pandemic first hit and were among the last groups of learners to return to school once schooling normalised. As a result, the Class of 2024 is one of the most affected groups of learners and they now face the monumental task to improve on the 2023 matric pass rate of 75.8% and surpass the national average of 82.9%,” Vosloo said.
He expressed confidence that intervention measures – including Saturday classes, weekend lock-in sessions, autumn and winter camps, subject clinics, and e-learning initiatives through tablets provided to Grade 12 learners – would assist them with their studies and help improve on last year’s pass rate.
“The department has gone to great lengths to ensure the examinations are conducted without irregularities. The State Security Agency has conducted an audit of the provincial printing precinct, and security measures have been implemented to track every question paper printed,” Vosloo added.
He also highlighted that candidates would not be allowed to bring cellular phones, notes, or smartwatches into the examination room.
“The Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, will announce the matric results on January 15, 2025. The Northern Cape provincial results will be released on January 16. The Province will also host the annual matric awards ceremony on the same day.”
Vosloo condemned the false information being circulated on social media about National Senior Certificate exam question papers, calling it unethical and harmful.
“This conduct of unscrupulous individuals is creating unnecessary panic amongst candidates and society at large. Such actions are not only unethical, but also a direct attempt to exploit the vulnerabilities of candidates, parents, and teachers during a critical time in the academic calendar. We urge candidates, parents, and educators to refrain from engaging with or being attracted to this misleading information. These scammers are attempting to defraud those who are already under significant stress.”
He encouraged the public to report any malicious or suspicious activity to school principals, departmental offices, or the police.
“By working together, we can protect our communities and ensure a safe and fair examination environment for all.”
He also advised pupils to prioritise their physical and mental health, acknowledging that the final exams can contribute to heightened stress and anxiety.
The acting HOD for the Department of Education, Dr Michelle Ismail, said that invitations were sent out for more markers to ensure efficiency in the marking process, particularly in response to a shortage of Afrikaans applications.
“The department has invested in ensuring that there are sufficient markers, especially in areas that are more densely populated,” she added.
