Umalusi, the assessment body, held a briefing ahead of the 2024 National Senior Certificate exams, on Friday morning. They provided an update on the preparations for this year's final matric exams.
The final matric examination period is set to commence on Monday, 21 October 2024 and will conclude during the final week of November 2024.
VIEW THE FULL 2024 OCT/NOV MATRIC TIMETABLE HERE
“Umalusi is legislatively mandated to assess the capacity of both the public and private assessment bodies to conduct, administer and manage the national examinations linked to the qualifications registered on the general and further education and training qualification framework.”
Umalusi CEO, Dr Mafu Rakometsi, announced:
Based on the report presented, I can report that the system is ready to administer the 2024 end of year national examinations.
For the National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations this year, the Department of Basic Education registered 882 336 candidates who will write in 6909 exam centres and the Independent Examinations Board (IEB) has registered 16 321 candidates who will write in 256 exam centres.
All question papers have undergone moderation and were found to have complied with Umalusi’s quality assurance standards and have been approved.
Currently, final matric exam question papers are being printed “in accordance with the printing management plans of the assessment bodies.” Umalusi also confirmed that there are measures in place to mitigate any identified risks.
Marking schedules and quality assurance processes across the assessment bodies have been established, with marking set to commence in a staggered approach as planned by the assessment bodies.
Umalusi is satisfied with the Department of Basic Education’s ability to manage the final NSC exams, however, they revealed that there are challenges relating to staff shortages which have been noted.
“While contingency plans are in place for the upcoming exams, Umalusi urges the department to work towards a sustainable solution to address this issue for future examinations cycles, ensuring long-term stability in exam administration.”
Another issue seen is a shortage of markers but Umalusi has said that contingency plans are in place to address this shortage. To mitigate this, the department plans to recruit more markers, have staggered marking and extend the marking duration.
The structures for addressing and managing examination irregularities have been established in accordance with the regulations governing the conduct, administration and management of examinations.
Should any exam irregularities occur, Umalusi has confirmed that there are measures in place to handle it.
When do matric results come out?
Once the matric exams are completed, the wait then begins for the release of Matric results. Before the matric results are released, the Minister of Basic Education, Ms Siviwe Gwarube, will announce the outcome of the examinations on 15 January 2025.
2024 final matric exam results will then be released on 16 January 2025.
