GEORGE NEWS - Thembalethu matric learners started their final examination with much confidence on Tuesday 24 October.
Grade 12 learners across the country started their National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations on Monday 23 October, while Imizamo Yethu and Thembalethu High School started their exams with English language paper on Tuesday.
Many learners at these schools are adamant that they have done well in their first exam.
A learner from Thembalethu High, Ntsika Booysen, said the English paper was not difficult and proved to be much easy as he expected.
“The paper was not difficulty was very much easy for me and I am confident that I will also do well in other papers.”
According to Paddy Attwell, Western Cape Department of Education (WCED) spokesperson, a total of 51 987 full-time candidates have registered for the NSC examinations in the Western Cape this year, along with 13 912 part-time candidates.
Some candidates started writing on 16 October, with practical examinations in Computer Application Technology (Cat), followed by exams for foreign languages.
The examinations mark the culmination of three years of hard work for learners and teachers, starting in Grade 10 in 2015.
Relief that the paper went well seemed to be the prevailing feeling among these boys from Thembalethu High School.
"Many schools and teachers and district support teams have been offering extra lessons to improve individual learner results.
"The Western Cape Education Department has implemented a range of support measures, including spring holiday schools for about 10 000 Grade 12 learners at 160 high schools," said Attwell.
Other support measures by the WCED included a Tips for Success book that provides advice on studying and writing examinations for each subject, a 104-page matric support document with old examination papers for high-enrolment subjects, and online support.
Atwell added that, in line with regulations, the WCED has implemented extensive measures to ensure the integrity of the examinations. These include how the papers are printed, packaged, stored and distributed.
"Invigilators and markers have received training on how to identify any irregularities. The entire process is carefully monitored, through to marking and the release of the results.
Excited learners after their first exam paper.
"Officials will visit examination centres unannounced on a daily basis as part of the monitoring process. All schools also have a risk management plan in place for any eventuality that might occur."
Debbie Schäfer, minister of Education in the Western Cape, expressed her satisfaction with all arrangements for the examinations.
"This is a huge logistical exercise that requires careful planning and tight management. While we cannot always predict some extreme circumstances, I am confident that the Department has made all the necessary arrangements to avoid, where possible, any irregularities," she said.
Imizamo Yethu Secondary School matrics were in high spirits after completing their first exam paper.
"I would like to thank all the WCED officials involved for their commitment to ensuring the validity, credibility and smooth running of the 2017 NSC examination.
"I look forward to a peaceful and fair examination process and am confident that we will ensure every candidate in the Western Cape receives his/ her paper on time."
ARTICLE: ZOLANI SINXO, IDINGA EDITOR
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