WITH just a few hours before the completion of marking of the 2021 matric exams on Wednesday, basic education minister Angie Motshekga has assured the country that the process was going very well despite a few and minor hiccups in Limpopo and the Free State provinces this week.
In an interview with Inside Education on Monday, Motshekga said despite interruptions in Limpopo and the Free State, the marking of matric exams would be successfully completed on Wednesday – and the capturing of marks would be in progress shortly afterwards.
This after Limpopo Department of Education sent 23 matric exam markers home this week after they tested positive for COVID-19.
At least 13 of them were based at Northern Academy Secondary School marking centre in Polokwane.
In the Free State, markers saved and recovered exam scripts after a storm hit Albert Moroka High School, damaging some of the papers.
The process of marking was underway during the storm, leading to a loss of some documents.
Motshekga said no scripts for Accounting Paper 2 were severely damaged, and all scripts could be accounted for.
“We were initially concerned about the storm in the Free State but we received a report on Monday that assured us all exam scripts were recovered and teachers were able to account for all the papers,” Motshekga told Inside Education on Monday.
“Between Christmas and New Year, the department will be mopping up and ensuring all papers and year marks are reconciled.”
Motshekga added that while several markers tested positive for COVID-19 in Limpopo Province, the department was consoled by the fact that more than 80% of teachers in South Africa were vaccinated.
The class of 2021 concluded their final matric examinations on 7 December, having started in October.
Motshekga confirmed that the matric exam results would be announced on 20 January 2022, while provinces would then release the results the next day on 21 January.
Last month, the Department of Basic Education (DBE) confirmed that more than 40,000 markers would handle the marking of the NSC exams.
The markers are expected to finish marking by 22 December this year.
The marking is set to be captured on 27 December while Umalusi standardisation is expected to take place by 6 January.
The education quality assurance council needs to declare that the exams and the marking processes are up to standard in order for the NSC exam results to be released.
Here’s how you can get your matric results
NSC results
To obtain a NSC one must achieve 40% in three subjects, one of which is an official language at Home Language level and 30% in three subjects.
Matriculants can get their official statement of results from the school, exam centre where they wrote their exams or online through the DBE‘s website.
- Step 1: Visit the Department of Basic Education website.
- Step 2: Register using your details.
- Step 3: Click on the link for 2021 NSC exam results.
- Step 4: Enter your examination number.
- Step 5: Your results will appear on the screen.
- Step 6: Click the download button and print.
IEB results
Independent Examinations Board (IEB) pupils will see their results go public on 19 January 2022. The IEB sets and marks the final exams for most of the country’s private and independent schools.
IEB results can be obtained in the following ways:
- You can obtain your official certificate of results from your school as of 19 January.
- Pupils will be able to find their results online using the IEB website when they are released.
- Results can also be accessed via SMS (If the IEB has been provided with your cellphone number, your results will automatically be sent to the number provided or you can register by SMS by sending a message to 35135).
Bursaries are available from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (Nsfas) for any course of study.
Pupils can contact via email or visit their website.
- * Inside Education
