The Department of Basic Education (DBE) confirmed that there has been a gradual increase in the number of matric fulltime enrolments in 2022, compared with previous years.
With the total number of enrolments increasing from 733 198 in 2021 to 755 981 in the 2022 school year.
Due to this increase, the department made provision of 11,215 more markers (bringing the total to 52,801) compared to 41,596 markers in the previous year.
According to the department, the increase in markers is in keeping with the increase in learner enrolments.
The matric class of 2022 kicked-off its National Senior Certificate year-end examinations on 31 October 2022, in a statement, the Education Department said:
The exam period comes to its end on 7 December 2022 across all nine provinces.
Unfortunately, this year’s matric final exams were marred with protest action, particularly in Mpumalanga, as some question papers couldn’t be delivered to schools due to the demonstrations.
On the other hand, Gauteng matric learners were barred from going to school due to protest action and this resulted in 50 learners not writing their exam on the particular day.
However, DBE spokesperson, Elijah Mhlanga announced that the Education Department has set aside dates for the affected learners to rewrite different subjects.
The learners have been encouraged to prepare for their matric rewrite, this also includes learners in the Eastern Cape, Western Cape and the North West province, who were affected by different circumstances.
Loadshedding is among the issues that affected the candidates during their Computer Applications technology final examination, and stage four of loadshedding is expected to be implemented in some parts of Gauteng.
DBE Director-General, Mathanzima Mweli, said loadshedding doesn't only affect the actual writing of the exam in the classroom, but also the learner's preparation for the exam and to a large degree their anxiety levels before the examination.
Provincial Education Departments (PEDs) have requested schools, where possible, to procure alternative lighting mechanisms for exam centres and power generators, where funds are available.
In the meantime, Basic Education has emphasised that it continues to liaise with the power utility, Eskom, the security cluster, PEDs and other relevant stakeholders to manage the risks posed by load shedding and other security related matters to matric learners.
