Education MEC assures smooth matric exam process

POLOKWANE – MEC for Education in Limpopo, Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya, said she is confident that the matric class of 2024 will achieve the 80% pass rate in the National Senior Certificate (NSC). Lerule-Ramakhanya said during the matric readiness stakeholders’ briefing held on Sunday 20 October 2024.

The matric final examinations commenced across the country on Monday 21 October 2024, with Limpopo Province having 124 630 fulltime and repeat part-time pupils who enrolled for Grade 12 NSC.

A total of 94 214 are full-time candidates from both public and private schools who will be writing in the 1 287 examination centres in the province. Limpopo also has 375 centres to accommodate the 30 416 repeat part-time learners. The overall number of candidates has slightly decreased as compared to last year where the province had 94 424 candidates. 

During the 2024 trial examination, the province attained 79%, which according to the MEC, is a testimony that the matriculants will achieve greater in the final examination results as they shown so much potential and zeal for success. Last year this time, the province was standing at 74% and the final NSC results improved to 79.54%.

“This year, we are at 79%, a clear indication that come 16 January 2025, the province’s performance will be at 85%. It was an exciting journey for the class of 2024 and they have shown potential to take the province to greater heights,” said the MEC.

Lerule-Ramakhanya said they have afforded the pupils a maximum support since the beginning of the year to ensure that they perform better when they sit for examinations.

“We have made a clarion call to our communities to switch off their loud music and to cancel gatherings that will be of disturbance to our learners. It is also imperative to talk to parents and guardians to give our learners more time to study and to rest during this period. House chores and other responsibilities must be minimal from Monday 21 October until the end of exams next month,” she said.

The MEC indicated that they did not encounter any challenges during the process of finalizing the logistics for administering the exams.

“All our storage hubs in the province were properly prepared and are thus in good condition. In order to ensure security and credible administration of the final NSC examinations, we have established a Joint Operational Committee (JOC) with all relevant stakeholders responsible for the security of our exams. We will also rely on the media and members of the community to be our eyes and ears during the exams period,” she said.

 Lerule-Ramakhanya informed that prior to the examination, she led the signing of the Matric Pledge with over a thousand learners in Modimolle-Mookgopong when all the other learners in the province were signing in their respective schools.

“The credibility of the process will be dependent on investment done by both department and learners,” she said.

The MEC assured that they have a dedicated team from the head office and the districts that are monitoring examinations on a daily basis.

“We are a province on the rise, with determination and commitment, nothing is impossible,” she said.