Statement by Donald Grant, MEC for Education in the Western Cape

“We welcome the news that there have been no reported disruptions at any of the National Senior Certificate (NSC) Examination centres in the Western Cape,” said MEC Grant.

Grant confirmed that this morning’s Physical Sciences Paper 2 (Chemistry) had been written without any reported disruptions.

“Ten protestors were arrested on Friday, including COSAS provincial chairperson Benjamin Zanzi, who appeared in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court this morning. Their case has been postponed till next month,” he said.

“However, COSAS members are restrained by the interdict which was formally served this morning. The interdict restrains COSAS members from gathering within 300m of any examination centre or from disrupting any examination,” said Grant.

Grant said that he had been in contact with the Premier, Community Safety MEC Lennit Max and Commissioner Petros.

“We are constantly monitoring the situation and the police are on high alert,” he said.

Grant said that although there were no incidents at any of the NSC examination centres, an incident did occur at Lagunya Finishing School.

“A group of candidates sitting for the old NATED FET College Programme examinations voluntarily began to tear up their own, as well as other candidates', examination scripts. They were writing the national small business management and entrepreneurship paper,” said Grant.

“This is very disappointing. Not only have these candidates lost the opportunity to complete their matric examinations, they have also prejudiced the rights of other learners who wanted to write this exam.”

For enquiries, contact Bronagh Casey:  072 724 1422 or brcasey@pgwc.gov.za.

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