Grade 12 pupils are getting ready for their final exams which are set to start on October 21.
The matrics will embark on the final lap of their 12-year schooling career, writing English and Afrikaans at the start of the 2024 National Senior Certificate exams.
Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, said that her department was ready to administer the final National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations for the class of 2024.
Gwarube said the department had done a lot of work to prepare both the candidates and the system for this year’s examination.
“Matriculants are at a crucial point in their academic journey,” she said.
About 732,448 full-time candidates enrolled for NSC examinations, while there are 136,195 part-time candidates who are registered to sit for various subjects this year.
KwaZulu-Natal has the largest Grade 12 population with 172213 candidates, followed by Gauteng contributing the second largest number with 136 620.
The Eastern Cape has 103 975 and Limpopo with 94236 followed by Mpumalanga with 68 455 and Western Cape, which registered 64552 candidates.
In addition, the North West enrolled 41480, while Free State has 37737 and Northern Cape registered 13180 candidates this year.
Meanwhile the Home Affairs department said its offices across nine provinces will operate on Saturdays from September 21 to October 12, to allow Grade 12 learners to apply for temporary identity certificates, ID collections and application services.
Minister of Home Affairs, Leon Schreiber, said the offices would open their doors from 8am until 1pm, with matriculants and learners being prioritised during the period.
“We encourage matriculants who are waiting on their IDs, along with their parents, to make their way to the nearest Home Affairs or where they applied.”
The Mercury