Free State's Education Department is confident that this matric marking season will go down smoothly, even with markers having tested positive and more having dropped out.
3 markers have withdrawn due to testing positive for Covid-19. 2 of them are quarantining at home while the other quarantines at hospital.
60 Free State from teachers have pulled out of matric marking due to testing positive, being exposed or other reasons. The Free State Education Department has said that it's doing its best to protect more than 2 300 matric exam markers against COVID-19.
The Spokesperson for Free State's Department of Education, Howard Ndaba, has said:
We are making sure that the safety of our markers is paramount.
At the 23 marking centres in the province, the department seems to be pleased with the health and safety measures being put in place.
"Fortunately, we have not experienced a surge in our marking centres. All marking processes are still running smoothly and we are grateful for that," said Ndaba.
Free State has markers on standby to replace those who have dropped out or to rescue any unforeseen circumstance.
All individuals present at marking centres are screened, wearing masks and undergoing hand sanitation.
Markers who are being accommodated are said to not be sharing rooms.
Free State's Education Department is confident that the system they have in place will make sure that markers and everybody inside the marking centre is safe.
Through support given to learners and given by parents, Free State is confident that the Matric Class of 2020 has done well.
Even though we are under these conditions, we are going to make sure that on the 23rd of February we acknowledge and pay tribute to the Class of 2020 because they make us proud. They have been resilient under very trying and difficult conditions.
The province has psychologists on hand to assist with any effects from Covid-19 and to provide the needed support.
94% of the 46 024 markers expected have reported to work. 0.5% of markers have tested positive for Covid, either on arrival or a few days after they were at the marking centre.
238 markers across the country have tested positive for Covid and have since been released.
Matric marking commenced on 4 January and are expected to fully be completed by 22 January with some provinces having earlier targets.
