CAPE TOWN- In the midst of the global Covid-19 pandemic around 1.1 million matriculants will sit
for combined national senior certificate exams starting from Thursday.
President Cyril Ramaphosa said that despite all the challenges the Class of 2020 has had to face, he wishes the matrics great reserves of courage and strength in the final push.
"This year’s exam will be written under unprecedented conditions. We are in the midst of a global pandemic. The nationwide lockdown we had to impose in March to contain the spread of the coronavirus caused immense disruption to everyday life and cost valuable hours of learning and study," he said.
Earlier this year the Department of Basic Education had to postpone the June Senior Certificate exams, however matrics will now write them combined with the National Senior Certificate. This makes this combined examination the largest public exam ever administered in South Africa.
SEE ALSO: CAPE TOWN SCHOOL SHARES THEIR MATRIC EXAMS PROCEDURE
Ramaphosa congratulated the provincial and national Departments of Basic Education for their sterling preparation for the upcoming examinations. This included the independent and public auditing of examination centres, finding extra venues to accommodate the large number of candidates, and the development of protocols to ensure compliance by candidates and officials with Covid-19 regulations.
"When you enter the exam room in the days ahead, you will be carrying not just your own hopes for success and those of your families. You will also carry the hopes of us, the South African people," he said.
"I salute our educators who have been there for their students when they were needed most. They have given so much, personally and professionally. They put our learners first and in doing so affirmed once more that our teachers are among our finest public servants."
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