The Department of Basic Education (DBE) spokesperson, Elijah Mhlanga has confirmed the changes which have been made by the department regarding the matric exams start date.
Mhlanga said the matric exam's start date had to be changed in order to accommodate the local government elections.
We needed to go back to the drawing board to find a way to accommodate the local government elections which were clashing with the first day of matric examinations.
Mhlanga indicated that the original date to start matric exams was 1 November 2021 because elections were to take place on 27 October 2021. The elections were subsequently changed to 1 November 2021, forcing the matric exams out of the way, said DBE spokesperson.
The DBE had decided to start the matric exams three days earlier than was originally expected. According to Mhlanga, the exams will now start on 27 October 2021 to make way for elections on 1 November 2021. The teacher's unions have also been reported to have welcomed the new changes.
Mhlanga said the matric curriculum coverage has been going well despite the Covid-19 disruptions. The DBE confirmed that matric pupils have covered their curriculum and the upcoming local government elections won't affect the exam program.
The department has also stated that the first paper which is English Paper 1 with second additional languages will be written on 27 October, then followed by Business studies on 28 October 2021.
Mhlanga confirmed that after the English Language and Business Studies paper, the pupils are given a space of five days before they can get to the next exam.
The DBE said the new changes brought some relief to the matric pupils as there was no gap allowance to rest before moving to the next exam sitting.
The department has encouraged learners that are eligible to vote to go and exercise their rights as well as use the five days gap after the first papers to prepare for the next exam sitting after elections.
