SIPHELELE NKETO

A SERIES of prayer sessions are set to take place in parts of KwaZulu-Natal by faith-based organisations ahead of the matric exams starting next Tuesday, October 21. This was in response to a call made by the KZN Department of Education to pray for good health, safety and serenity of learners during the exam period.

In KZN, 195 899 matric learners will sit in this year’s exams. The number increased from 190 452 matric candidates in 2024.  

Sipho Hlomuka, the KZN MEC for the Department of Education, said that the rise of the matric candidates was as a result of the department’s sustained efforts to improve learner retention, reduce learner drop-out rates and expand access to quality education. To prepare for this year’s matric class, Hlomuka said that the department developed an academic improvement plan focused on improving the KZN matric pass rate from 89.5% to a minimum of 95%, with the ultimate goal of reaching 100%.

“All 12 districts crafted district-specific improvement plans aligned to the provincial strategy. We immediately set these plans into motion to ensure that implementation was felt across all schools,” he said in a media briefing this week.

He mentioned programmes launched to support learners and to ensure full curriculum coverage. He said the Winter Tuition Programme, from June 27 to July 21, provided opportunities for learners to revise and engage with past exam papers. He said the programme also introduced effective study methods during camp sessions. He said spring boot camps, from October 5-12, in 11 districts benefited 4 380 learners. The KZN DoE said examination materials will be distributed through 13 storage points and 103 distribution and collection centres.

The department further said that 6 450 invigilators will watch over 6 712 exam rooms across 1 705 public and 61 private exam centres.