Chiloane 'confident' Gauteng's matrics 'will do well' in upcoming final exams
On Friday, the Gauteng Department of Education led a pledge signing ceremony at the Ahmed Timol Secondary School.
Learners from Ahmed Timol Secondary School on 18 October 2024 were part of a pledge signing ceremony led by the Gauteng Education Department, ahead of the final matric exams. Picture: Jacques Nelles/Eyewitness News
JOHANNESBURG - Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane is confident the 2024 cohort of matriculants will do well in their final exams.
The learners start writing their exams from this Monday to the 28 November 2024.
On Friday, the Gauteng Department of Education led a pledge signing ceremony at the Ahmed Timol Secondary School.
Chiloane went on to laud the class of 2024 for their tenacity.
“This is a group that was in grade 8 when COVID hit, and you know when it hit there was a lot of debate on whether schools should be closed or not and the focus on matriculants.
“They were the hardest hit and they pulled through to this point and so, we are confident as a department that they will do well,” said Chiloane.
As they pledged, the learners had this to read out: “I solemnly make this promise and acknowledge that this pledge is binding on my conscience.”
The pledge was first introduced in 2013.
Chiloane encouraged the class of 2024 to stay focused during the crucial exam period
“This is the last step, you are almost there literally. Just work hard, study hard and focus.”
CHEATING WON’T BE TOLERATED – CHILOANE
High-level security mechanisms have been introduced to ensure that these exams are without incident.
Last year, the Basic Department of Education launched an investigation, following allegations of exam cheating involving more than 100 learners in six provinces.
Pupils each paid teachers R1,500 to join a WhatsApp group – where answers to questions were posted.
Chiloane has vowed such incidents will not be tolerated.
“Those who are found to have transgressed, they know, they will be removed from the examination centre. They can even be removed entirely from writing the NSC [National Senior Certificate], banned for a number of years, depending on the gravity of the transgression. It’s going to greatly affect them,” he said.