On Friday morning, Umalusi held a media briefing on the state of readiness for the 2023 final matric exams. This follows an audit of the state of readiness of the public and private assessment bodies to conduct, administer and manage the national examinations.
Umalusi CEO, Dr Mafu Rakometsi said:
The findings of the audit of the systems used by the Department of Basic Education (DBE) and Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) revealed that both these public assessment bodies are ready to conduct, administer and manage the exams.
Rakometsi did however reveal that the audit process flagged some weaknesses but that these weaknesses won't put the credibility of the exams at risk. The Department will take steps to make sure that the situation is corrected before the start of the final matric exams period at the end of October.
Other things Umalusi looks at the printing, packaging, storage and distribution of examination material. Inconsistencies with this could lead to question papers leaking and answer books leaking.
Umalusi does however have concerns when it comes to loadshedding with them instructing assessment bodies to have plans in place. The Department of Basic Education is said to have made arrangements to procure generators and engage with Eskom.
When will matric exams start?
The final matric examination period is set to commence on Monday, 30 October 2023 and will conclude during the first week of December 2023. Independent school learners will commence their matric exams on 17 October.
723 971 full-time candidates will sit down to participate in this year's final National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations, around 30 000 less than last year. As for part-time candidates, 129 064 individuals will be writing, bringing the total candidates for this year's final matric exams to 853 035.
As for Independent schools. 14 127 full-time candidates and 1 080 part-time candidates will be writing.
When will matric results be released?
The 2023 matric exam results will be released on 19 January 2024.
