Statement by Western Cape Education MEC Cameron Dugmore

It is pleasing to note that more than 25,000 candidates have enrolled for the 2008 supplementary examinations, which started at 262 examination centres across the Western Cape today (Monday 5 May). The 2007 figure for supplementary exams was 4,200.

The fact that 90% of the total candidates this year were either private of part-time candidates, I believe is an indication that more and more young people are starting to realise the value of education. I wish every candidate success in these examinations.

The number of candidates who have registered for the supplementary examinations this year has increased dramatically as young people are rushing to complete their matric based on the old curriculum.

Matric candidates have until mid-2011 to complete their matric based on the old curriculum if they registered for and wrote Senior Certificate examinations before 2008. These candidates include those who failed matric or who did not pass enough subjects to qualify for a Senior Certificate.

The national Department of Education has given candidates three years to complete their matric based on the old curriculum, because it will be difficult for them to start studying for the new matric without returning to full-time study.

The examinations started today with English First Language Higher Grade and Standard Grade Language papers. The examinations will end with Computer Studies Higher and Standard Grade Theory examinations on Friday, 20 June 2008.

The total of 25,512 Senior Certificate candidates include 2,412 full-time learners, 8,558 part-time learners and 14,512 private candidates.

The examinations centre at Rocklands Secondary School, Mitchell’s Plain, has the highest number of candidates registered for the supplementary examinations, with a total of 937 candidates.

The WCED will monitor the supplementary examinations rigorously to ensure the integrity of the examinations. I must warn candidates that the consequences of irregularities could be severe, because candidates found cheating could be barred from writing again for two years.

Given that candidates have until 2011 to complete their matric based on the old curriculum, they may find it difficult to do so if they are barred from writing for two years before this deadline.

The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) introduced special Saturday schools to help prepare candidates for the mid-year matric supplementary examinations. The extra classes will end on Saturday 17 May 2008.

The national Department of Education provided more than R6-million to fund the Saturday schools in the Western Cape. The special classes have taken place at 30 venues across the province and was attended by about 6,000 learners.

I want to express my appreciation for the way in which the WCED’s Examinations Directorate has mounted this major logistical exercise to manage the supplementary examinations, which is similar to that for the end-of-year matric examinations.

About 700 markers will mark the of the candidates who will write a total of 113 papers. The marking period will be from 30 June to 5 July 2008.

South Africa has thus now completed the process of introducing the new national curriculum. Grade 12 learners will write the National Senior Certificate examinations based on the new curriculum for the first time at the end of this year.

* Candidates can contact the WCED’s Exams Helpline for further information at 021 467 2300, or visit the Exams Helpdesk at the WCED’s Head Office, second floor, Grand Central Building, Lower Parliament Street, Cape Town.

For enquiries, contact Gert Witbooi:  082 550 3938, or gwitbooi@pgwc.gov.za.

Visit our website: http://wced.wcape.gov.za

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