By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
It’s all systems go for the matriculants who are scheduled to write their matric exams this year, according to quality assurance body Umalusi.
The matric class of 2023 will begin writing the National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams on Monday, 30 October.
Umalusi briefed the media on Friday morning following an audit of the state of readiness of the public and private assessment bodies to conduct, administer and manage the national examinations.
Umalusi CEO Dr Mafu Rakometsi said he was satisfied with the preparedness of the Department of Basic Education and the Department of Higher Education.
“The findings of the audit of the systems used by the Department of Basic Education (DBE) and Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) revealed that both these public assessment bodies are ready to conduct, administer and manage the exams.
“While the audit process flagged some weaknesses, they are not of such magnitude that they can put the overall credibility of the exam at risk.
“The risks identified have been brought to the attention of the relevant Heads of the Provincial Education Department and the directors-general of the DBE and DHET so that corrective steps can be taken to remedy the situation before the start of exams,” said Rakometsi.
He is also happy with the readiness of private assessment bodies.
“Based on the findings of the evaluation of the readiness of the Independent Examinations Board and South African Comprehensive Assessment Institute, Umalusi is satisfied that the two private assessment bodies are ready to conduct, administer and manage the 2023 NSC and GETC end-of-year exams.
“Where risks were identified, they have been brought to the attention of the CEOs of these organisations. Umalusi commends the IEB and SACAI for their efforts in safeguarding the credibility of the national exams.
“Umalusi will monitor the running of the exams in both the public and private assessment systems to ensure that their conduct, administration and management are in full compliance with the relevant regulations,” he said.
While the quality assurer was satisfied with the state of readiness, Rakometsi said he was concerned that exams could be negatively affected by various factors, including load shedding, cheating and community protests.
On load shedding, he said Umalusi had advised all assessment bodies to make alternative arrangements for the supply of power during the writing of exams.
“Umalusi would like to issue a stern warning to all learners and teachers to refrain from all forms of cheating, including group copying, where teachers are sometimes implicated.
“At the same time, Umalusi discourages communities from using the national exams as leverage for their protest actions,” he said.
Rakometsi also raised concerns about unaccredited institutions and the selling of fake certificates.
“Umalusi is satisfied with the work done to curb unaccredited institutions from registering candidates for the national exams.
“The meeting that Umalusi convened on 18 August 2023 with the senior officials from the national and provincial education departments, the Independent Examinations Board and the South African Comprehensive Assessment Institute agreed on measures to be taken to prevent the operation of illegal independent schools and ensure that examinations are only administered at independent schools accredited by Umalusi.”