The Department of Basic Education (DBE) believes moving the release date of the National Senior Certificate (NSC) results will be difficult due to several factors which must be taken into account.
Before the Covid-19 pandemic, NSC matric results were released during the first week of the new year. However, the long-lasting impact the pandemic has had on teaching and learning has necessitated the need for a later release of matric exam results.
Now, matric candidates receive their results in the third week of January.
DBE Director-General, Mathanzima Mweli says South Africa is not highly rated for the number of days allocated to learning and teaching, with the World Bank describing the country’s situation as "learning poverty".
Mweli argues that more days should be dedicated to learning and teaching, which affects the days allocated for examinations and the accreditation of online schools.
They add that the increased number of subjects being offered to learners also impacts the release of matric results.
The NSC results were released earlier when the number of subjects offered in basic schooling was half what we are contending with, now, at 68.
Mweli adds that the increased number of subjects also increased the workload for accreditation bodies like Umalusi.
The standardisation of the NSC results (a Umalusi function) has therefore become a lot more extensive now, because of quality considerations. For that reason, Umalusi says any compression of time in this context encroaches on quality issues, and the reliability and integrity of matric results.”
Impact Of Matric Results Release Date
Universities South Africa (USAf) reported that the delayed release had caused a misalignment with the start of the academic year for universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges.
This misalignment also negatively impacts the ability of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) to provide students with the funding required for tertiary education studies.
NSFAS relies on NSC results to make bursary decisions. When the release of these results is delayed, it causes significant unrest among students. The uncertainty and prolonged waiting period lead to protests and disruptions on campuses, as students express their frustration and concern over their financial aid status.
Only registered students can attend classes, and the delayed release of NSC results means that many students cannot complete their registration on time.
This issue is particularly problematic for medical schools, which start in early January.
Furthermore, Medical Schools start at the beginning of January. The late release of results hardly aids these schools’ processes.
The late release of results also limits the student's ability to attend orientation programmes which are essential for new students to acclimate to university life. The delay in releasing NSC results also leads to a shortened academic year, which also compresses the exam periods.
Some universities have had to shorten their examination period, previously 21 days, to 15, with immense pressure on students, not to mention other university systems and operations.
This shortening of the academic year potentially increases anxiety and potential mental health challenges among students, who face immense pressure to perform well in a reduced timeframe.
2024 Final Matric Results Release Date
The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has confirmed that 2024 Matric exams will start on Monday, 21 October 2024 and conclude in late November.
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.
