The Department of Basic Education said a computer glitch which led to delays in the release of the 2017 matric remark papers for Eastern Cape learners has been sorted out.
The Department said that the problem was caused by a computer error at the State Information Technology Agency, SITA, which provides IT services to government departments.
The computer error led to a situation where none of the remarked matric papers for all schools in the Eastern Cape were adjusted.
Algoa FM News that schools received the 'unadjusted' results recently, sparking concern.
Department spokesperson, Elijah Mlangha, said that he was aware of the delays in the release of the results "for remarks".
"We dealt with some issues but today (Tuesday) some schools have confirmed and some parents have confirmed to me as well that they've since received their results which means that the system challenges have since been sorted out and that the results will be available from today onwards," he said.
Mhlanga said the issue not only affected 2017 matric learners in the Eastern Cape but learners in Gauteng as well.
"We've been working with SITA to ensure that we get to the bottom of all these issues. They have been working around the clock to make sure that all these things are fixed because we understand that our learners need to use these results for all sorts of things, including application to university, so we have done all that we could to assist parents," he said.
Mhlanga said SITA "handles all our IT needs in government", and with us and exams they "manage the data" and the host it at their remote location in Centurion where our servers are located."
"So, when it comes to processing the data and preparing it for release, we work very closely with them. But, at the end of the day it's them who own the system and it's them who have the final control when it comes to sending out the verified information," he added.
Asked if the delay in releasing the remark results would not have already prejudiced 2017 matriculants wanting to go to university, Mhlanga said that this was not necessarily the case.
"We work with Universities, so whenever there are challenges we work with them. We meet the Deans of Universities from time to time to exchange information, express challenges and talk about areas of cooperation. So, this is something that they would naturally be aware of and they would do what's necessary. But, remember also that Universities are able to access our results straight from the system," he said.
Mhlanga said that is why when learners apply to universities they can already see your performance, "you only go there to present your documents".
