The Western Cape is on track and ready for the 2009 National Senior Certificate exams.

The national Department of Education declared the province ready for the exams after visiting the Western Cape on behalf of the Council of Education Ministers at the end of July.

About 48 500 full-time and part-time candidates will write the NSC exams in the province this year.

The WCED has completed the appointment of chief invigilators and invigilators and is currently training them on how to manage the exams at every exam centre.

The department will also launch a campaign to brief principals and chief invigilators in September.

Principals and chief invigilators are ultimately responsible for the proper management of the exams in schools and other centres, according to regulations.

The WCED has also completed the appointment of chief markers and internal moderators, and is finalizing the appointment of markers.

The WCED has completed the process of registering candidates and finalizing the schedule of subjects they have applied to write.

The department will provide the schedules to schools shortly for double checking. Every candidate will have to sign confirmation that their schedule is correct.

Candidates cannot change the schedule once they have approved it. They mist bring their identification document to the exams, and should dress in school uniforms if they are full-time candidates at schools that have uniforms.

Schools and learners must ensure that they complete school-based assessments that account for 25% of the marks. The final exam counts for 75%.

Failure to complete the school-based assessments will result in a candidate not receiving a result.

There is still time to complete these assessments, and to prepare for the final exams. The time has come to put aside other interests and focus on achieving the best possible result that all candidates are capable of.