Africa-Press – South-Africa. A total of 194 611 matriculants in Gauteng are expected to sit for the 2022 final exams, with a confident MEC Matome Chiloane claiming they would go off without a hitch.
Addressing the media at BB Myataza Secondary School in Etwatwa, Chiloane said 138 877 full-time and 55 734 part-time pupils would write the exams under heavy supervision.
“Gauteng is ready to implement 100% coverage of all examination centres,” he said.
The department has trained and appointed chief invigilators for all 1 018 examination centres.
All examination centres, distribution points and district storage points had been audited to ensure the integrity of the examinations was protected and not compromised.
“Training personnel serving as custodians of these processes has been conducted, and resources have been allocated. We have appointed service providers to augment security in districts,” the MEC said.
Chiloane had also roped in armed escorts, response units, and CCTV cameras.
He said they had also conducted an audit of computer applications technology (CAT) and information technology (IT) laboratories.
“One of the areas of focus for the audit was whether the centres have a generator to serve as a back-up in the event of an electricity supply cut. Eskom and City Power have been informed of the critical dates on which CAT and IT practical examinations are being written to minimise power cuts on those (specified) dates.
“Examination centres that do not have generators will procure or rent generators to avoid the disruption that may result from a power cut,” said Chiloane.
The department has also leased generators for back-up power for marking and capturing to proceed during load shedding.
Grade 1 and 8 placements
On the subject of school placements, Chiloane reminded parents and guardians that all placements were subject to the availability of space per school.
“From 3 October, SMSes with placement offers were issued to parents and guardians of applicants who meet placement requirements.
“About 159 070 (47.8%) unique applicants have been placed. We have placed 87 608 new Garde 1 and 71 462 Grade 8 pupils. A total of 173 487 unique applicants are unplaced.”
Chilaone claimed that placement offers will continue being sent out daily until 30 November.
“We have observed through the media and our communication platforms that parents who did not receive offers are anxious and panicking. They are urged to be patient as all pupils will be placed.
“Of great concern is that 61 930 applicants who received offers of placement have not accepted these offers. All applicants with placement offers that have exceeded the seven-day acceptance period will be auto-placed at offered schools,” Chiloane said, and appealed to parents to accept offers within the stipulated period.
Applicants that cannot be accommodated at the schools they applied to because they had reached capacity would receive transfer offers of placement at the next closest school with available space.
“Transfer offers are made only after confirmation that none of the schools applied to has available space. Parents and guardians who are offered a placement at schools that they have not applied to have the option to accept or decline the placement offer,” Chiloane said.
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