The Minister of the Department of Basic Education (DBE), Siviwe Gwarube, said that this year’s final Matric exams have been successful, “with minimal irregularities”, during a briefing held on Wednesday afternoon.
The 2024 NSC exams commenced on October 21st with the English language paper and spanned 28 intensive days of assessment. This has been a massive logistical undertaking with a total of over 727,000 full-time candidates and over 155,000 part-time candidates having sat for these critical exams across the country.
“This rigorous process will help us deliver accurate and reliable results, which are expected to be released on 13 January 2025, with provincial education departments releasing on 14 January 2025,” the Minister announced.
Matric results were initially scheduled to be released on 16 January. However, the DBE announced an earlier matric results release date to accommodate the opening of schools for 2025.
Some challenges such as protests and severe weather were seen during this year’s matric exams leading to exams being disrupted for some learners, “but contingency plans were made,” said the Minister.
These incidents reinforced the importance of proactive planning and collaboration with disaster management teams which has helped us mitigate the impact on these learners.
The Minister also addressed the violent incidents which occurred during this exam period. In the Eastern Cape, 5 matrics were gang raped and a week later, another female learner was raped.
“These heinous acts are a tragic reminder of the dangers that many of our learners face, especially young girls. Let these incidents be a rallying call toi us all as South Africans to stand against these barbaric acts,” Gwarube said.
Schools and communities should be places of safety at all times. They cannot be spaces of fear, violence or abuse.
Now that matric exams have been completed, it’s often seen that matriculants attend ‘pens-down parties’. The Department has shown concern surrounding the safety of these events.
The end of the exams is a time for celebration but it must be done responsibly. I urge matriculants to refrain from alcohol abuse during pens down events and matric rage parties. These moments of celebration of achievements should not risk life and safety. It’s absolutely important that you do not engage in reckless behaviour.
What’s Next?
With the 2024 final matric examination period reaching its end, marking will soon commence. 181 marking centres have been established across the country which have been audited and deemed ready.
Marking centres are now open with over 50 000 markers being recruited.
