Minister Motshekga updates the Education Sector on the 2020 Matric countdown
The countdown to the matric examinations has begun, and the writing of the 2020 National Senior Certificate (NSC) Examinations will commence on 5 November and conclude on 15 December 2020. The Basic Education Department (DBE) rescheduled the examinations to accommodate the disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Minister was speaking at a briefing in Pretoria to update South Africans on key developments in the Sector relating to the Covid-19 level 1 restrictions. Minister Motshekga expressed concern about learners who have not returned to school yet, despite schools operating at full capacity under alert level 1 of the lockdown, and called on parents and communities to support their children as they return to school under the new normal ushered in by Covid-19. “All examination centres, both public and independent have been audited in preparation for the 2020 combined examination. In addition, a protocol, to ensure compliance with Covid-19 rules, has been developed and distributed to guide all the chief invigilators, invigilators and all other officials involved in the management of the conduct and administration of the examination.
Provinces put in a place a whole range of measures to support learners, including Saturday and Sunday classes. In addition to the extra classes provided at schools, the department also launched Woza Matrics, in collaboration with the National Education Collaboration Trust (NECT). This is an initiative designed to provide additional support to the Matric Class of 2020, as they prepare for the 2020 NSC Examination. Schools will reopen on 25 January 2021. “We are grateful for the commitment, dedication and sacrifice demonstrated by our educators in all provinces,” concluded the Minister.
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