Matric exam timetable adjusted for local polls

The local government elections are set to take place on 1 November. 

The final exams will now start on 27 October and not 1 November as initially scheduled.

Spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga says the decision was taken by the Council of Education Ministers on Wednesday morning.

“The CEM meeting took place following the series of consultations with the key stakeholders in the Basic Education sector. 

"The changes were necessitated by the local government elections which will take place on 1 November 2021. Learners eligible to vote would now be able to cast their ballots.”

Mhlanga says the papers which were scheduled for November 1 and 2 will now be written on 27 and 28 October, respectively.

“The best interest of the learner was a key consideration in addition to ensuring that a minimum change to the current timetable was made to avoid confusion.

“The Department of Basic Education urges candidates preparing for the examination to keep working hard.”