Learners will start writing on Thursday, 5 November and finish on 15 December 2020. The first exam will be English First Additional Language Paper 1 and the final papers will be Visual Arts and Agricultural Management Practices.
Basic Education Deputy Minister, Dr Reginah Mhaule has sent her well wishes to the class of 2020 as they prepare to write the National Senior Certificate (NSC) Exam.
“Despite the overwhelming disruption brought about by COVID-19, you have remained resolute. You have taken steps to attend weekend revision classes and utilised the available online media resources to prepare.
Mhaule thanked teachers for the support they have given to learners, despite the many changes faced during the academic year.
“It is not easy for teachers but they are pushing on. We also want to thank parents and the communities for making the environment conducive for learning.”
Committee chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education, Bongiwe Mbinqo-Gigaba has applauded the Department on the work it has done to make sure all grade 12 learners are ready to write the final exam.
During a portfolio meeting, Mbinqo-Gigaba said the Department of Basic Education and Umalusi assured them that the class of 2020 has managed to cover the full curriculum ahead of exams.
On Friday, Umalusi gave the go-ahead for schools to start the final matric exams. Umalusi CEO Dr Mafu Rakometsi said Covid-19 has put a strain on the education sector, which has had to adjust to the new normal.
Despite the many difficulties that the department has faced this year, Rakometsi said Umalusi will not be making the exams easier.
"Umalusi does not advocate for the downgrading or trimming down of the quality of examinations. In particular, tinkering with the content of question papers – we do not support that line of thinking." said Rakometsi.
John Volmink, Umalusi Council Chairperson, said the exams took 18 months to set and it would take 18 more months to reset the exams.
Rakometsi said Umalusi's main focus was to give learners enough support to make them feel prepared for their exams.
