The DG monitors marking centres throughout the country
Groblersdal
The Director General (DG) of the Department of Basic Education, Hubert Mweli visited all 25 marking centres in Limpopo province, the marking of the National Senior Certificate (NSC) exam papers in Limpopo province.
According to the department, the DG’s plan is to visit all 193 centres in the nine provinces.
The department said it employed 41 500 markers to mark learners scripts from 8 December to 22 December.
It is believed that the monitoring of the marking centres is part and parcel of the provincial and national mandate to support the markers.
Addressing markers at Ben Viljoen centre in Groblersdal, Mweli acknowledged the leadership of the province, the deputy and centre managers for the good work they are doing.
Mweli applauded markers for leaving their comfortable homes and the pleasure of being with their loved ones to come and do the national duty.
“We are grateful to all markers for their sacrifice to ensure marking take place,” said Mweli.
He also acknowledged the chief makers and the internal moderators’ teams who are doing an excellent job by supervising the marking and all the markers.
“I am here on behalf of the basic education minister Angie Motshekga to pay a courtesy call to come and salute you for the good work you are doing for the nation,” said Mweli.
“The minister said I must visit all the centres across the provinces to observe what is happening at marking centres.
The DG compared markers with soldiers who protect borders of the country, saying the difference was that the markers protect the integrity of the NSC as the asset of the nation.
“You look too sad, sound tired and I am told that you just started with marking. I thought you still look good. You’re still in a good shape because there is still a long way to go,” the DG briefed the markers.
He said the department is working very closely with the Department of Health to ensure that all marking centres are fully compliant to the health and safety protocols and to deal with any emergency that may occur.
He further said: “we thank you for putting your life and your health at risk to carry out national duty,”
Mweli pleaded with markers to continue following all covid-19 protocols.
Out of 25 centres he visited he was unhappy with one centre because it did not afford markers conducive environment to do their work.
The department released a statement stating that all marking centres are implementing stringent covid-19 protocols including daily screening, the appointment of compliances officers, the supply of masks, sanitising stations as well as social distancing.
“Please find time to rest. We wish you wonderful festive season and a prosperous New Year. Keep well, God bless you, we are proud of you,” this was his last bite.
