Media Release
Minister of Education Debbie Schäfer
Western Cape

18 October, 2015

Grade 12 learners begin to write the 2015 NSC Examinations.

Statement by Minister Debbie Schäfer, Minister of Education

Tomorrow, 8 806 candidates will begin to write the 2015 NSC starting with Computer Applications Technology. Of these 8 619 are full time candidates and 187 are part time candidates.

On Tuesday 20^th October 2015, 883 full time and 10 part time NSC Candidates will write Information Technology.

The preparation for the CAT and IT examination is quite complex given that we have to prepare for a wide range of scenarios in order to avoid any disruption to the exams. Such eventualities could include adverse weather conditions causing power failures.

To avoid any planned power disruptions, the WCED has engaged with both Eskom and the relevant municipalities regarding the dates and times of the 2015 Computer Applications Technology and Information Technology Examinations.

Officials of the WCED have visited examination venues before the examination to ensure that all networks and stand-alone workstations have been properly set up and that all relevant instructional procedures have been adhered to.

If a power failure does occur during the examination, the centre manager must immediately inform the local authorities and also ascertain from them, if possible, how long the power failure is likely to last.

The WCED must also be immediately informed of the power failure.

Candidates must then remain in the computer room until the power supply is restored.

Candidates may not communicate with one another while waiting for the power supply to be restored. The time lost during the power failure must be allowed as additional examination time.

If, after two hours, the power supply has not been restored, the examination must be re-scheduled in consultation with the WCED's Directorate: Examination Administration.

The work completed by the candidates must be handed in and submitted to the WCED, together with all the relevant documents.

In the event of an examination being cancelled because of a power failure, the candidates must do the back-up paper on a date set by the national Department of Basic Education.

In the event of computer breakdowns during the examination, candidates must be immediately moved to back-up equipment, and the appropriate additional time will be provided to the candidate.

I would like to thank all our staff in the directorate for curriculum development for ensuring that they are well prepared for the examinations ahead.

This is to ensure that every candidate has the same fair and equal opportunities to write and that the integrity of the examinations is secured.

I wish all candidates that are writing these examinations the very best of luck.

Media enquiries:
Jessica Shelver
Spokesperson for the Minister of Education, Debbie Schäfer
Western Cape Education Department
Tel: 076 175 0663