Staff Reporter.
The Department of Basic Education says it is satisfied with the progress being made to recover damaged matric exam scripts in the Free State.
This comes after a massive storm damaged the roof of the Albert Moroka High School marking centre in Thaba-Nchu on Wednesday afternoon.
The process of marking was underway during the storm – leading to a loss of some documents.
Chief Director for Public Examinations and National Assessments, Dr Rufus Poliah says the markers acted swiftly to save the scripts.
“The bravery and courageous acts of the markers and centre management to prioritise saving the scripts must be applauded. What is even more commendable is the quick response taken by the Provincial Education Department to relocate the marking centre to another venue in less than 24 hours and have marking continuing as though there was no crisis,” said Poliah.
Poliah says no scripts for Accounting Paper 2 were severely damaged and all scripts could be accounted for.
“For Business Studies Paper 2, 15 869 scripts were received at the start for marking and 15 866 can be fully accounted for. Two scripts are in the process of being properly identified as parts of these scripts were damaged and only one (1) script cannot be accounted for at this stage from the total of 147 that could not be accounted for as of yesterday (Friday).”
Marking has officially resumed at the new location in the HTS Louis Botha High School hall in Bloemfontein.
“Over 5 000 of the Accounting scripts have already been marked and sent for capturing, which is progressing very well. In light of the work done thus far, the damage to learner scripts appears minimal.”