GEORGE NEWS - The final school bell is getting closer for the Class of 2026, but first there is one last major hurdle: the matric final exams.

The 2026 National Senior Certificate examinations kick off on 13 October with Computer Applications Technology (CAT) and run until 25 November. A total of 71 300 full-time matric candidates will write in the Western Cape this year.

Across the province, 485 examination centres are being prepared, around 2 600 community invigilators will be on duty and 3 857 markers will eventually tackle the mountain of scripts. Matrics will write 123 different examination papers.

But before anyone starts counting the days until the pens finally go down, there is still valuable preparation time left.

More than 31 000 Western Cape matrics attended #BackOnTrack winter school classes during the mid-year holiday, and revision classes are planned for the upcoming school break.

Learners can also find past examination papers and memoranda, video tutorials, study guides, subject support and study tips on the WCED's matric support page. There is also information about funding for further studies and resources to help learners cope with exam stress.

WCED matric support resources

Western Cape Education Minister Jaco Londt urged matrics to stay disciplined and focused, while asking families and communities to protect learners' valuable study time.

For those feeling overwhelmed, help is available. Learners, parents or teachers concerned about a matric learner's wellbeing can contact the Safe Schools Hotline on 0800 45 46 47 for assistance.

For the Class of 2026, years of schoolwork are now heading towards their final few weeks. Study hard, sleep enough, ask for help when you need it - and remember that no matric has to tackle the final stretch alone.

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