MATRIC EXAM MARKING COMPLETED IN MPUMALANGA

BY ERIC MATOME KGOMO
The Mpumalanga Department of Education said it has completed the marking of thousands of combined May and June Senior Certificate and National Certificate (SC & NSC) exam papers, despite challenges brought by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The marking process started on 10 July 2021 and completed on 17 July 2021.
Mpumalanga Education Department Spokesperson, Jasper Zwane, said they are satisfied with the manner in which the marking of the scripts progressed.
“We finished ahead of time. Judging by the way the marking progressed, the department is impressed that it completed ahead of time without serious challenges,” he said.
Mpumalanga experienced the least number of marker withdrawals, as a result of Covid-19 cases reported at the marking centres.
According to Zwane, five marking centres were established throughout the province with a total of 1 286 marking personnel consisting of 15 managers, 772 markers, 146 senior markers, 25 deputy chief markers, 61 chief markers, 61 internal moderators, 37 admin officials and 169 examination assistants. “To this end, the marking of subjects has been completed already and all other processes such as moderation and quality assurance are done in keeping to the policy framework that governs these examinations,” he said. “What is more encouraging is the adherence of all role players to the Covid-19 health and safety protocols,” Zwane said.
Education MEC, Bonakele Majuba, expressed his gratitude to all the personnel who were involved in the marking process. “We are quite encouraged by the meticulous manner in which the marking process unfolded within the province. This will enable those who pass the examinations to continue to study further in institutions of higher learning, participate actively in the growth and development of our province,” he said. Majuba said they are pleased by the fact that the marking centres, have not turned out to be super spreaders of the Covid-19 infections.
“We wish to extend our sincere appreciation to everyone who played a pivotal role towards this achievement,” he said. The department has encouraged candidates to collect their statements of results from 24 August 2021, at their respective examination centres, including schools where they wrote the examination.