It's all systems go for tens of thousands of Grade 12 learners who will putting pen to paper on Monday as the National Senior Certificate exams kick into high gear.
Basic Education minister Angie Motshekga briefed the media on Sunday on the state of the department's readiness.
She said it's been a challenging year.
"This has also been a challenging year as we saw the return to normalcy following the difficulties that we experienced battling Covid-19. For the first time since 2020 our learners went back to school without having to wear masks or observe social distancing.
Grade 12 learners will on Monday write English Paper 1.
Earlier this week they had written some of the smaller question papers including Computer Applications Technology Paper 1 Practical.
Motshekga said security measure had been stepped up to ensure that no exam papers get leaked.
"We have gone to great lengths to ensure that the examinations happen with no irregularities. DBE has stepped up its security across all points in the question paper chain based on a continuous review of all examination processes," said Motshekga.
Earlier the Eastern Cape Department of Education said learners across the province had signed a pledge committing themselves that they will not be engaged in any behavior during the writing of their exams that may lead to irregularities.
Provincial department spokesperson Mali Mtima said such behavior could compromise the credibility of the exams process and results thereof.
Mtima said they had done all they can to prepare Grade 12 learners for their final exams.
