Great start to matric exams

THE NATIONAL Senior Certificate (NSC) final examinations went off without a hitch this week despite the heavy rainfall.

Examinations got off to a good start, free of incidents or irregularities as more than 700 000 candidates sat for their first English Paper 1 on Monday.

Matrics will sit for the English Paper 2 today (Thursday).

According to Department of Education (DoE) provincial spokesperson Muzi Mahlambi, all pupils were at their desks and on time with no delays reported across districts.

‘Despite the recent bad weather, our learners are focused and determined. Nothing will deter them.

‘We have had such a great start to our exams and there have been no delays regarding the delivery of exam papers,’ said Mahlambi.

On the local front, Empangeni matric pupils have sailed through their exams over the last couple of days.

Old Mill High School Principal LM Mbambo said there have been no problems so far and everything seems to be going well, while the matriculants from Empangeni High School have had no delays and are taking every exam as it comes.

Principal of Dover High School, Mr Ngema, said that it has been smooth sailing.

‘Our matrics were saying that everything has been easy so far. I trust our results will reflect that,’ chuckled Ngema.

Meanwhile Aquadene Secondary School pupils Quade Goodman and Dameon Lourence say their exams went well this week, with the English paper proving to be a bit longer than anticipated.

They are continuing with group study sessions and feel positive ahead of the coming weeks.

With a total of 576 490 full-time and 130 646 part-time candidates registered for the NSC examinations, a seamless start to the administration of the 2013 examinations leaves the department confident of yet another year free of incidents.

On Tuesday pupils sat for a three-hour Accounting paper and IsiZulu in the afternoon, followed by Afrikaans, Agricultural Science and Nautical Science on Wednesday.