Media Release
Minister of Education Debbie Schäfer
Western Cape

8 November, 2016

Minister Schäfer urges NSC candidates to remain focused as they reach the halfway mark.

Statement by Minister Debbie Schäfer, Minister of Education

Today marks the midway point for our Grade 12 learners who are writing the 2016 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations.

The matric exams have run smoothly so far, with no reports of any leaks in the Western Cape, or any incident likely to affect the running of the exams.

Candidates entered the fourth week of the exams this week, with 14 787 writing Physical Sciences Paper 2 (Chemistry) yesterday (Monday, 7 November).

Today 11 182 candidates will write Economics Paper 2 with 92 candidates writing Sesotho Home Language.

Last week was particularly busy, with exams for several high-enrolment subjects, including Maths, Maths Literacy, isiXhosa, Economics, Geography, Afrikaans and Physical Sciences Paper 1 (Physics).

Exams for high-enrolment subjects this week include Physical Sciences Paper 2 (Chemistry) various English papers (56 454); isiXhosa Home Language (13 371); and Life Sciences Paper 1 (32 280).

The final matric exam for 2016 will be Design on Tuesday, 29 November, for 859 learners.

The final exam for most learners will be on Monday, 28 November, with learners writing Afrikaans Home Language and First Additional Language Paper 3, for 20 754 and 18 570 candidates respectively.

A total of 66 331 candidates have registered to write the 2016 matric exams in the Western Cape, including 53 146 full time candidates and 13 185 part time candidates.

Our officials have been working around the clock to ensure that the NSC process is faultless and I must thank them for their hard work and dedication at this stressful time of the year.

Overall, I am happy with the way in which the examinations are progressing and I am also pleased that to date, no irregularities have been reported.

I must extend my appreciation to parents and members of the community in general for the continued support over this stressful period.

I know that for some, the first half of the examinations has been a tough one, with many of the more popular subjects having already been written such as Mathematics, History, Geography, and Physical Sciences.

This is a reminder that candidates are required to be available up to the 9^th of December for any eventuality - such as the need to rewrite a paper.

To all the NSC candidates - I would like to congratulate you on coming this far and motivate you to stay focused until you have completed your final examination.

This is the final stretch after a long 12 year school career. These next three weeks are critical and we wish all our candidates writing the best until the final exam.

Candidates are reminded that they can phone the WCED's Safe Schools Call Centre if they need to talk about any anxiety and stress they may be feeling. The toll-free number is 0800-45-46-47.

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