Media Release
Minister of Education Debbie Schäfer
Western Cape

5 September, 2016

Minister Schafer wishes class of 2016 good luck ahead of trial examinations.

Statement by Minister Debbie Schäfer, Minister of Education

This week, thousands of NSC candidates across the Western Cape will begin writing the 2016 NSC trial examinations.

The trial examinations are extremely important for our matric learners and form an essential part of their preparation ahead of the 2016 National Senior Certificate examinations. Learners use the results of these exams to determine which areas they need to concentrate on ahead of the NSC.

Once completed, our District Officials will work with their schools to examine the results and determine which schools need additional support during the final stages of the Matric school year.

To the 2016 NSC Candidates, your success will depend on what you put into your studies.

This in turn depends on how you plan your time, how hard you study, and that you stay focused, positive and healthy.

It is important for you to remain focused so that you can reach your full potential and achieve the best results possible. For those of you who are studying under difficult circumstances, please use your schools, MOD centres and libraries in your communities as quiet, safe and secure areas to study.

With 44 days to go until the start of the 2016 NSC examinations, it is important for our all candidates to make use of all the resources available to them.

The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) is committed to supporting our NSC candidates in every possible way to pass matric and to achieve excellent results.

To help candidates pass their matric, the WCED has made a variety of resources available online. They include:

• A "Tips for Success" booklet that provides advice on preparing for the exams, planning study time and what to cover in each subject.

• Past exam papers that are essential for practice purposes. Candidates should use their June exam results to identify strengths and weaknesses needing further attention.

• The WCED's ePortal that provides a wide variety of resources, including matric videos on key subjects (search for "matric support" in the search bar).

• The WCED's Matric Support site includes answers to 57 frequently asked questions, from obtaining results to obtaining your matric certificate.

• The Matric Support site also provides the 2016 NSC Examination timetable.

Candidates can find these resources on the WCED's ePortal and Matric Support site at wcedeportal.co.za and wced.school.za.

The matric class of 2016 is entering one the most challenging and arguably most important times of their lives - the build up to their final examinations.

I therefore would like to thank all educators, family members and care givers for their support thus far. We trust that you will continue supporting our Grade 12's until the final examination.

I wish all schools and all candidates every success for their trial examinations.

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