The Department of Home Affairs will extend its operating hours on Saturdays from 21 September to 12 October. These five-hour sessions, running from 8:00 to 13:00, will focus on issuing Temporary Identity Certificates (TICs), collecting IDs, and processing new applications. This move comes as part of an effort to prioritise matriculants and ensure they have the necessary identification to write their final exams.
“This initiative is specifically aimed to enable matriculants to write their exams, which is the first step towards economic empowerment of young people,” said Home Affairs Minister, Leon Schreiber.
He urged matriculants awaiting their IDs, along with their parents, to visit their nearest Home Affairs offices.
Matric Exams: Ready for the class of 2024
Meanwhile, the Department of Basic Education (DBE) confirmed its readiness to conduct the National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams. Minister Siviwe Gwarube, accompanied by senior officials, briefed Parliament this week. According to the DBE, exams will take place from 21 October to 27 November, with 55 053 markers assigned to 188 centres.
“The results will be released to candidates on January 16, 2025, following the Minister’s announcement on January 15,” the department stated. This year, 732 448 full-time candidates will sit for the exams, a significant increase from 2023. KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng account for the most significant Grade 12 learners, while the Northern Cape remains the smallest province regarding exam candidates.
Addressing the COVID-19 impact
The DBE acknowledged that the Class of 2024 has faced numerous disruptions, including the transition from primary to high school during the height of COVID-19.
Deputy Director-General Barney Mthembu highlighted how these matriculants were affected by rotational attendance and social distancing.
Despite these challenges, the department has worked to support them through the Learning Recovery Programme and other resources.
“The system was beginning to recover in 2022, and we ensured Grade 12 learners had access to study materials and diagnostic reports,” Mthembu said.
As both departments gear up for a busy few months, do you think these initiatives will be enough to ensure a smooth matric exam process for the Class of 2024?
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