With just two weeks to go, the Western Cape Education Department is prepared and ready for the 2010 National Senior Certificate Examinations, said Western Cape Education Minister Donald Grant on Monday.

This is a massive undertaking with a total of 53 183 full-time and part-time learners writing in the Western Cape.

Minister Grant said that 47 055 full-time and 6 128 part-time learners would be writing the examinations in 420 examination centres across the Province.

This is an increase of 4 691 learners from last year, he said.

This week the first practical examinations will begin with 10 173 learnerss sitting down to participate in the Computer Applications Technology practical examination, and 627 learners in Information Technology.

He said that 800 000 scripts will be marked between the 8th and the 15th of December by 3 700 markers.

We have also appointed 2 163 invigilators for duty at the exam centres, he said.

The final results are due to be announced on the 6th of January 2011. While there is no way we can forecast the outcome of these results in the Western Cape, we obviously are hoping for an improvement in our learner outcomes.

Grant said that he was confident that the department had done all it can to assist the Class of 2010, and will continue to do so up until the very last day of their examinations.

We have, from the very beginning of the school year, put in place programmes to assist our Grade 12s which have sought to assist our Class of 2010 for these examinations. However, I must also acknowledge our learners. They have been enthusiastic and focussed throughout the year, he said.

They have worked hard, despite disruptions during the World Cup and the strike, and we are proud of their efforts. This year we have seen increased attendance at our holiday programmes and after-school programmes. We have also run a successful tutoring and telematics programme which has received widespread support from learners. So their will to learn is evidently there.

Grant said that he wished all of the learners in the Western Cape the best of luck.

I sincerely hope that their hard work translates into good results that I know they are all aspiring to."

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

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