The 2022 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations got underway on Monday with no major disruptions being reported by the Department of Basic Education (DBE).
However, keeping the lights on throughout the day remains a challenge for the country’s power utility which could negatively affect the learners participating in the NSC exams.
Eskom has announced that Stage two loadshedding will be implemented during evening peaks between 16:00 to Midnight on Tuesday and Wednesday. Despite Eskom's announcement regarding the implementation, the DBE is confident that loadshedding will not disrupt matric exams.
Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga explained that the examination timetable was created to mitigate the impact of loadshedding. While the examination timetable slots have remained the same for several years, some exam papers may be written before or after the set times.
The Minster said, “The DBE continues to liaise closely with Eskom, the security cluster, PEDs and other relevant stakeholders to manage the risks posed by load-shedding and other security related matters”.
DBE Spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga explained that schools cannot be exempted from loadshedding. This is because schools are scattered all over South Africa in most communities and their exemption from loadshedding would essentially mean that loadshedding has been suspended.
Subjects that require the use of computers may be further at risk as learners will be unable to complete their examinations if electricity is unavailable. Mhlanga said the two subjects that require electricity, computer and technology and information technology, were written with minimal disruptions.
