Matric results will be released next week, despite load shedding issues

The Council for Quality Assurance in Education, Umalusi, have confirmed that the matric results for 2020 will be released next week – despite a host of challenges that threatened to derail the proceedings.

Load shedding can’t stop matric results

Umalusi Chair Prof. John Volmink addressed the media on Friday. He confirmed that things had mainly run smoothly during the exams sat in October and November, but acknowledged a few thorns amongst the roses. The hectic load shedding schedules of 2019 caused disruption for some matriculants:

“Over 700 000 candidates wrote these exams. It’s important that employers and parents and higher education are sure quality is maintained. There were no incidents of paper leakages or group copying. But there were incidents of dishonest conduct, and those results will be blocked”

“The council approves release of results but the Department of Education must block results of those implicated in dishonesty and those results from unregistered Centres. Exams were largely incident free there were minor distributions in some parts. ie; some exams were affected by load shedding in October.”

Professor John Volmink

Maths “a genuine concern”

Umalusi revealed that nearly 2 000 students had to resit a Computer Application Technology (CAT) exam, when the power went out during the spring. All of those disrupted by the blackouts were able to complete their tests at a rearranged date, though. Professer Volmink also raised concerns about the subject of maths.

According to the experts, mathematics shows “no sign of improvement” from learner patricipation. Volmink worries that a decrease in candidate numbers for this topic is a bad sign for education in South Africa:

#MatricResults Volmink “There is a worrying trend in maths- It’s not showing any signs of improvements it’s not worse its a not better”

There’s a decrease in candidate numbers. We need to think about how we are teaching Maths. Accounting candidates also decreased” #Matric2019

— Silindelo Masikane (@Slindelo_M) January 3, 2020

When are matric results released in South Africa?

On Tuesday 7 January, the matric results for 2020 will be made public. Prospective university students and those set to finish their educational journey face an anxious wait over the weekend to see what they’ve ended up with. We’re wishing each and every one of our students the very best of luck for next week.