“The department has put systems in place to ensure that no learner’s academic performance is negatively affected in cases where they cannot write due to the Covid-19 pandemic.”
WITH a total of 13,351 full-time candidates registered for the Grade 12 preparatory examinations, the Northern Cape Department of Education said on Monday that it is ready for the process.
Department spokesperson Geoffrey van der Merwe said the preparatory exams will start at the end of the month.
“The Grade 12 preparatory examinations will take place from August 30 until September 23, 2021. The Department registered a total of 13,351 full-time candidates for the preparatory examinations at their respective schools,” Van der Merwe said.
He noted that the current Covid-19 health protocols would be adhered to at all times and that measures are in place should an infection break out at a school.
“The preparatory examinations will be conducted under strict Covid-19 regulations to limit any disruptions it may have on the exams. Grade 12 learners will write Provincial Common Papers in certain high enrolment subjects set up by the department, which will contribute towards their School Based Assessment (SBA) for their final National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations at the end of the year.
“The department has put systems in place to ensure that no learner’s academic performance is negatively affected in cases where they cannot write due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In a case where a learner cannot write the common papers, due to a valid reason or Covid-19, they will receive an adjusted mark for the subject. In a case where a large group of learners are unable to write due to Covid-19, the school will reschedule a date for these learners to write a back-up paper. This is in line with the existing examination policies currently in place.”
Van der Merwe said the preparatory exams are vital in preparing Grade 12 as well as the department for the year-end exams.
“The preparatory examinations prepare the department and learners for the NSC examinations at the end of the year and also identify challenges that we are likely to experience. It is a very important examination for our learners as it serves as a barometer in terms of their level of preparedness for the NSC examinations.
“The department is ready at all levels to administer the preparatory examinations and the outcomes thereof will inform our final push activities for the Class of 2021.
“We wish all educators and learners well in the preparatory examinations,” he concluded.
