In January 2025, thousands of learners received their 2024 National Senior Certificate (NSC) results. However, 23 learners in Limpopo left their examination centres without their matric marks.
The Department of Basic Education (DBE) accused the 23 learners of cheating in the economics paper during the 2024 final matric exams.
NSC exams aim to test a learner's knowledge in their chosen subjects. In economics, question papers are made up of four sections in which learners must answer at least one essay question.
There are several essay questions that may come up where learners will be asked to demonstrate their understanding of different aspects of economics.
The DBE alleges that the learners wrote the same answers when answering the essay question in Economics Paper 1 regarding international trade.
According to the learners, their teacher had predicted that the international trade essay could be featured in the November NSC exam as it was not previously used in the preliminary matric exams.
The learners were subjected to a departmental hearing but the outcomes have not yet been released.
Download Matric Exam Timetable for October/November 2025
Learners are concerned that they are being left in limbo by the DBE as they are unable to further their education at tertiary institutions without their matric results. They are also struggling to secure employment as matric is a prerequisite for many jobs in South Africa.
