By Johnathan Paoli
The Gauteng education department is gearing up for the 2024 National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams, which are starting in a week’s time.
Education MEC Matome Chiloane told reporters on Monday that the department had implemented a range of support systems and security measures to assist candidates.
Speaking at Edenvale Secondary School, he said his department’s focus was on ensuring the exams were conducted with credibility, integrity and efficiency.
A total of 189,693 candidates are registered for this year’s exams, which is a slight decrease of 0.78% from 2023.
This includes 136,051 full-time and 53,642 part-time/repeater candidates. The department has set up 1035 exam centres, including 669 public ones.
Chiloane said that in light of the Class of 2023 performing commendably, achieving an 85.4% pass rate and the highest number of Bachelor passes since 1996, this positive trend was expected to continue.
He said stringent measures had been introduced to prevent cheating, including the use of advanced scanners and the banning of cellphones and smart devices during exams.
“Disruptive behaviour can lead to immediate removal from the examination, while dishonesty could result in nullified results and a ban from future exams. Candidates are required to sign a pledge committing to uphold the NSC Examination Code of
Conduct,” the MEC said.
A pledge ceremony led by the MEC is scheduled for Friday.
He said that throughout the year, the Secondary School Improvement Programme has provided extra tutoring and lessons for matriculants. It has included residential camps and partnerships with educational organisations like Sci-Bono, which enhances learning through innovative technologies.
The MEC confirmed that his department was opening registrations for candidates wishing to rewrite subjects in the June 2025 examinations, with applications closing on 7 February next year.
Chiloane also gave an update on the 2025 online admission placements for Grade 1 and Grade 8 learners, which began last month.
A total of 199,492 applicants have been placed, accounting for approximately 61.22% of total applicants with complete applications.
Specifically, 103,446 Grade 1 learners and 96,046 Grade 8 learners have secured placements.
Despite this progress, there are still 126,366 unplaced applicants; with 53,960 for Grade 1 and 72,406 for Grade 8.
Chiloane said the department was actively managing high-demand schools, where some have already reached full capacity.
“The department is committed to expanding school infrastructure, having approved the construction of nearly 3800 additional classrooms over the past five years,” he said.
He said an online platform would open on 11 December for late and incomplete applications.
INSIDE EDUCATION
