The department recently announced its readiness to administer the Grade 12 preparatory examination from 30 August to 23 September 2021. According to the department’s spokesperson, Geoffrey van der Merwe, the preparatory examinations will be conducted under strict Covid-19 regulations to limit any disruptions it may have on the examinations. 

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, says Van der Merwe.

“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, he/she 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,” says Van der Merwe.

The preparatory examinations prepare the department and learners for the NSC Examinations at the end of the year and also identify challenges that are likely to be experienced. “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,” Van der Merwe says.

OFM News/Blaine Jones