Issued by: Ministry of Education
The end of the year is upon us, and learners in education institutions all over the country are starting with their final examinations. On behalf of both the National and Provincial Departments of Education, I wish all our examinations candidates the best of luck during this challenging period.
For the first time in South Africa the Matric examinations will be administered by the provincial departments of education in line with the provisions of our constitution. It is indeed significant that 20 years after the Soweto uprisings, all our children will now write the same examinations.
I have been fully briefed by my provincial counterparts, the MEC's for education, about the sterling work done by their officials in preparing for this milestone in our education history. They have assured me that they have taken all possible steps to enable them to discharge their constitutional obligation in an efficient and effective manner. They have further assured me that security, monitoring and quality assurance mechanisms have been set up, in all the provinces, to ensure that the integrity of the examination is upheld.
In spite of these commendable efforts it is likely that some problems will be experienced for a variety of reasons, not least of which, is that the provinces are tackling this mammoth task for the first time.
In dealing with these problems the public will have to fully co-operate and support the education authorities to take immediate corrective action. I expect members of the media, community and political parties to alert the provincial education authorities in a constructive manner about any irregularity in the process, in order that our children may receive the best educational service possible. Provincial education authorities will have to reciprocate this constructive approach by keeping the public fully informed about the entire examination process and by addressing all reported problems in a transparent, sensitive and efficient manner.
If this approach is maintained by all sides, the learners will be saved from the spectre of rumours, allegations, and denials which can only result in confusion, anxiety and uncertainty. Such a scenario would have disastrous consequences for the candidates' performance and would bring the entire examination process to disrepute. We therefore collectively owe it to our children to do everything practically possible to safeguard the credibility of these examinations. I will closely monitor the process to ensure that the rights of learners are adequately protected at all times.
I once again want to wish all the Matric candidates the best of luck.
21 October 1996
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL MR LINCOLN MALI AT (021) 457 350