According to the GDE, measures are in place to prevent leaks in matriculation exams

The class of 2024 is scheduled to begin writing exams next week.

Provincial MEC for Education Matome Chiloane briefed the media on Monday on the province’s readiness for the exams.

A total of 136,051 full-time and 53,642 part-time and repeat candidates will take part in the exams this year.

Chiloane said they are confident that sufficient measures are in place to prevent the disclosure of audit materials and ensure the integrity of the audit process.

“We have increased security and that goes far beyond protecting exam centers in schools,” he added.

The Ministry of Education has expanded its examination infrastructure with 16 new examination centers.

“We have a total of 1,035 examination centers, of which 931 are for full-time candidates and 104 are for part-time and repeat candidates. The 669 are public centers, which are public high schools, 237 are independent centers, 91 are part-time centers and 38 are designated centers,” Chiloane explained .

Chiloane also addressed the placement of students in grades 1 and 8, assuring parents that their children would be placed in the right schools in time for the start of the 2025 school year.

At the same time, he said the tendency to prioritize housing developments on vacant land over new schools was exacerbating the lack of educational facilities in certain areas.

“The problem remains for us because we approve complex buildings but do not designate space for schools,” said Chiloane.

He praised the City of Tshwane for “holding off on approving the construction of new schools despite the urgent need for more educational facilities in the area”.

READ ALSO