By Charmaine Ndlela
The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has expressed concern over persistent absenteeism among part-time matric candidates, urging those registered for the 2026 examinations to attend their remaining papers.
In a statement on Thursday, the department said the National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations were progressing satisfactorily, but attendance among registered candidates, particularly those studying part-time, remained a concern.
The DBE acknowledged that many part-time candidates were juggling employment, family responsibilities and their studies, but urged them to complete their examinations to improve their prospects for further education, training and employment.
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The department said it recognised that personal and socioeconomic circumstances could prevent candidates from attending examinations and would continue working with provincial education departments to identify and address these challenges.
However, it did not provide figures indicating how many candidates had missed examinations or how absenteeism compared with previous years.
The 2026 NSC examinations began on 13 October and are scheduled to conclude on 26 November.
As the examination period enters its final stages, the department has also warned candidates against dishonesty and other forms of misconduct that could undermine the credibility of the matric qualification.
Candidates have been reminded of the examination pledge and their responsibility to comply with regulations prohibiting cheating, unauthorised assistance, possession of prohibited materials and other activities that compromise examination security.
“The integrity of the National Senior Certificate is a collective responsibility, and every candidate has an important role to play in protecting its credibility,” the department said.
The DBE called on candidates to remain disciplined and focused as they prepare to write their remaining papers.
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Meanwhile, the department has urged provincial education departments and examination centres to remain alert to potentially disruptive weather conditions, including extreme heat, heavy rainfall and thunderstorms.
It identified parts of Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West and the Northern Cape as areas requiring particular attention because of potentially extreme temperatures.
Provinces experiencing heavy rainfall and thunderstorms have been advised to monitor weather conditions and possible disruptions to transport routes and examination venues.
The department encouraged provincial education officials to coordinate with the South African Weather Service and local disaster management authorities to implement precautionary measures where necessary.
Examination centres have also been urged to ensure adequate ventilation, access to safe drinking water and functional sanitation facilities, particularly during periods of extreme heat.
Candidates were advised to remain hydrated, avoid unnecessary exposure to direct sunlight and allow sufficient travelling time when weather conditions could affect transport.
The DBE said the safety of candidates and examination personnel remained a priority, with provincial departments encouraged to activate contingency plans where necessary.
Preparations are also under way for the marking of examination papers, with marking centres scheduled to become operational between 26 and 28 November.
Marking is expected to begin on 1 December 2026.
