The departmental spokesperson, Geoffrey van der Merwe, says it is also important to understand that the matric examination not only impacts the registered candidates but is a partnership between the government, the parents, families and the community as a whole. “This partnership spanned over 12 years and we have reached the last chapter of their schooling career. Now they will sit alone for the examinations, but they will do so with our full support and well wishes.” 

The department is also requesting support from parents and family members to the Class of 2022, including guidance and patience they'll need to transition from school to adulthood.

Van der Merwe states that the Class of 2022 should conduct themselves ethically and professionally when they sit for their exams. They have signed an oath to do so and it is hoped they will uphold this oath and pledge. He explains that the Department has had various interventions with a strong emphasis on progressed and borderline learners, in order to ensure that schools and learners get the maximum support following the learning backlogs of the past two years due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Amongst those interventions were the following programmes:

• Curriculum Roadshow and Subject Clinics;

• Radio Broadcasts of Lessons, Online and Offline Content Applications;

• Saturday Classes, Weekend Lock-In Sessions, and Psycho-social Support;

• Differentiated Content Support by Subject Advisors for problematic and high enrolment subjects;

• Provisioning of Additional Learning Support Material; and

• Holiday School Camps for approximately 8000 learners.

The department has registered 145 National Senior Certificate Examination writing centres. All exam centres have been audited by provincial and district officials, based on a national instrument. The department has also registered a total of 16 105 candidates, of which 13 873 are full-time candidates and 2 232 are part-time candidates. “When it comes to integrity management, the department will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that examination irregularities are prevented, especially acts of dishonesty and possession of unauthorised electronic devices like cell phones. A total of 146 Chief Invigilators were appointed and trained to strengthen our efforts to eradicate examination irregularities for the 2022 NSC examination,” he further explains.  

All 72 papers are set by Department of Basic Education panels. Packing, boxing and distribution of question papers are done per district, per school, per paper. Security measures are brought in to track each and every question paper printed. The department is confident that all candidates will receive question papers on time, on the day of writing.

A thorough process was conducted to ensure that quality marking of answer scripts will take place. The required marker personnel were appointed as follows:

• 766 Markers

• 164 Senior Markers

• 51 Chief Markers

• 21 Deputy Markers

• 51 Internal Moderators

• 3 Centre Managers

• 6 Deputy Centre Managers

• 150 Examination Assistants

The National Minister of Basic Education will release the national results on 19 January 2023 and the Northern Cape Department of Education will release provincial results on 20 January 2023, which will be followed by the Matric Awards.

The Northern Cape achieved a pass rate of 71,4% in 2021, an increase of 5,4% from 66% in 2020. “The Class of 2022 has an enormous task ahead of them, to ensure that they further improve on last year’s pass percentage and surpass the national average of 76,1%,” concludes Van der Merwe.  

“We are confident that the Class of 2022 will do the Northern Cape proud.”

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