Statement by André Gaum, Western Cape Education Minister

An army of about 2 000 markers has begun the massive task of marking about one million scripts submitted by candidates for the 2003 Senior Certificate examinations in the Western Cape.

The marking process began with a meeting of examiners on Monday, 1 December 2003, and is scheduled to end on Tuesday, 9 December 2003.

A total of 41 724 full-time learners registered for the 2003 Senior Certificate examinations, along with 15 188 part-time and private candidates, bringing the total number who wrote the examinations to 56 912.

Markers are working through the scripts under high security at the Peninsula Technikon.

The first candidates starting writing the 2003 matric examinations on Thursday, 9 October 2003, on Computer Studies. The long examination period ended on Friday, 21 November 2003, with Economics.

The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) arranged to convey the scripts under strict security to the WCED’s head office in Cape Town, before moving them to the marking centre at the Peninsula Technikon.

The integrity of the examination process is paramount – in addition to high security at the marking centre, rigorous procedures govern the handling of scripts, the marking process and the calculation of results.

We owe it to our candidates and the country to ensure that the matric results accurately reflect all the hard work of our candidates over the past 12 years at least, and the dedication of our teachers to preparing our candidates for this moment.

The whole examination process has proceeded smoothly in the Western Cape, which reflects the expertise and professional approach of everyone involved. I am extremely proud of all the hard work of my department and our schools in making this possible.

Markers and mark checkers will finalise totals on about 45 000 mark sheets by Tuesday next week. A team of specialist data capturers will capture the marks twice in the results database, to ensure accuracy. The computer rejects marks that do not match.

The data capturers are also inputting continuous assessment marks (CASS), reflecting work completed during the course of the year. CASS marks account for 25% of the total mark for most subjects, and 50% for tasks that involve practical work, such as music performance, technical drawing and computer programming.

The WCED will check the marks once again after they have been captured, before submitting them to Umalusi, the national certification authority. The WCED will process the marks once again after certification for distribution.

Successful candidates will pass in following categories: a pass, and pass with merit and a pass with distinction.

The provincial Minister of Education is scheduled to announce the results on Tuesday, 30 December 2003, at 10h00. Schools are scheduled to make results available at 12h00 at schools on the same day. The national Minister of Education is also scheduled to announce the national results at 12h00 on this day.

The Western Cape Senior Certificate results will appear on WCED Online, the department’s web site, from 06h00 on Wednesday, 31 December 2003. The web address is http://wced.wcape.gov.za.

Candidates will have to enter their examination and identity numbers to access their personal results on the web site. The site will offer a range of search options for all visitors wishing to find out the names of top candidates in the province, at each school and by subject.

The results will also appear in the media on 31 December.

The WCED has urged principals to offer support and counseling to candidates who do not pass the examinations. This can be done at the school when results are given to candidates, or, if applicable, at the local Education Management and Development Centre, where relevant staff will be available.

The release of the results will be a time to celebrate for those who pass. I appeal to those who don’t pass to not lose heart – there are plenty of opportunities to write again, or to choose an alternative education path.

In the meantime, we appeal to all to take a well-earned break, and to gather strength for the challenges of 2004.

For further details on examinations, contact:

Brian Schreuder
Deputy Director-General: Education Planning and Development, WCED
021 467 2519