The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has asked Eskom to avoid load shedding on Tuesday,16 October 2007, when matric candidates will be writing Typing and Computyping examinations.

Brian Schreuder, Deputy Director-General, Curriculum Management at the WCED, says that electricity is essential for these Senior Certificate examinations, which will take place between 09:00 and 12:35 on Tuesday.

He has told Eskom that the window period required is 08h30 to 12h45. The examinations require electricity to power computers.

More than 2 500 candidates will write the examinations across the Western Cape, from as far as Vredendal in the west to Plettenberg Bay in the east and Beaufort-West in the north.

Matric candidates have already written the other important subject needing computers, Computer Studies, on 8 and 9 October. Minor, isolated power cuts affected some learners in a few schools.

The duration was short and learners could complete their examinations after some breaks. The affected examinations centres followed procedures by ensuring that the small number of candidates involved were isolated and under supervision during the breaks.

Mr Schreuder has also appealed to examination centre managers in areas not using Eskom power to discuss the issue with local authorities to ensure electricity for the matric examinations on Tuesday.

For enquiries contact Paddy Attwell at pattwell@pgwc.gov.za.