By BAKANG MOKOTO
21 October 2024- The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi said the 2024 National Senior Certificate (NSC) final examinations kicked-off to a good start today. Motsumi said there are no major disruptions recorded across the province.
She visited Tlamelang Special School in Gelukspan and Kgosi Kebalepile Secondary School in Mmabatho, near Mahikeng, to oversee the administration of the first NSC paper. Motsumi further said NSC candidates across the country began their exams today with the morning session dedicated to English Paper III.
“Tlamelang Special School, which caters to learners with special needs, has 13 candidates sitting for the NSC exams at three different centres. These learners are provided with accommodations and concessions, including among others, an additional 20 minutes per hour, as well as a scribe and a reader, depending on the severity of their needs.
“These provisions are in line with the South African Schools Act of 1996, the National Education Policy Act of 1996 and SAIS policy. In 2023, Tlamelang Special School achieved a commendable 77% pass rate, and the department hopes to see similar success this year,” she said.
Motsumi added that, at Kgosi Kebalepile Secondary, 149 candidates across four centres also began their exams without any disruptions. She expressed her satisfaction with the smooth start of the examination process at both schools.
“It is encouraging to see that our learners, especially those with special needs, are receiving the support they need to succeed in their exams.
“We wish them continued success as they progress and we remain committed to ensuring that every learner has a fair and equal opportunity to achieve their academic goals,” said Motsumi.
This afternoon, candidates sit for a three-hour Afrikaans Paper III from 2pm.
Meanwhile, the provincial Convenor of the Moral Regeneration Movement (MRM), Pastor Lesiba Kgwele said: “In appealing for support and no disruption, MRM wished all learners who started with their examinations the very best and urged them to stay focused and not to be distracted from the task at hand.
“We urge communities to allow learners the opportunity to write their final exams in a peaceful and conducive environment. The sacrifices and extra effort they have had to put as part of preparing for the exams throughout the year, must be safeguarded so that they achieve their objective to pursue their dreams.”
The Guardian 