The Final Hurdle: As Matric Exams End, the Mammoth Task of Marking Begins

The final pens are down. The last exam booklets have been collected. But for South Africa’s Matric class of 2025, the most critical phase of their academic journey is just beginning. As the writing period concludes, the national spotlight now swings to the monumental, high-stakes task of marking nearly a million answer scripts.

Across all nine provinces, marking centres are preparing to welcome over 40,000 markers this week. The Department of Basic Education (DBE) maintains it is “on track,” and major provinces like Gauteng, the Western Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal have confirmed their readiness. Yet, beneath the surface of official assurances lie persistent questions about staffing, security, and the relentless pressure to maintain national standards.

A Rigorous Process for a Fair Result

Before a single tick or cross is made, markers will undergo a crucial “standardisation” process. This involves intensive training on the national memoranda (answer guides) to ensure that a 65% in Limpopo means the same as a 65% in the Eastern Cape. It’s the bedrock of the system’s credibility.

This year, that foundation is being reinforced with what the DBE calls “non-negotiable” quality assurance. In response to inconsistencies identified in 2024, internal moderators will be conducting daily checks, while the external quality assurance body, Umalusi, will be a constant presence in marking centres. The goal is clear: to leave no room for error or inconsistency in the pursuit of a fair result for every learner.

The High-Risk Window: Guarding the Scripts

While marking gets underway, the security of the remaining, unmarked exam papers remains an acute concern. The DBE has historically identified the period between the last exam and the collection of all scripts as the “highest-risk window.” It is in this limbo that past paper leaks have occurred, undermining public trust in the entire system.

The prescribed safeguards are stringent: scripts are stored in locked strongrooms with CCTV surveillance, accessed only under dual-control to prevent any single person from entering alone. Courier vehicles transporting scripts are GPS-tracked, and every handover is meticulously logged.

For 2025, the department has rolled out additional electronic seals and improved chain-of-custody logs. Teacher unions have welcomed these measures, acutely aware that a single breach can have catastrophic consequences.

New Threats in a Digital Age

The nature of the threat is also evolving. While the fear of physical paper leaks remains, officials are now also wargaming against digital dangers: AI-powered cheating tools, covert mobile phones in exam halls, and attempts to photograph scripts. Some provinces have responded by restricting the personal devices of officials themselves, a sign of how seriously these new threats are being taken.

The weeks ahead are a marathon of meticulous work and high vigilance. Marking will run through December, followed by a rigorous moderation process, all building towards the scheduled release of results in January. For the thousands of markers and officials, the real exam is only just beginning. Their integrity and diligence will ultimately determine the value of the certificate that over a million learners have poured their futures into.

{Source: IOL}

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