News
Matric Exams Unaffected by Government Printing Works Shutdown
No Disruption Expected, Confirms Education Department
With the 2025 matric exams set to begin next week, concerns were raised this week after the Department of Employment and Labour issued three safety prohibition notices at the Government Printing Works (GPW) building in Tshwane. The facility, located on Bosman Street, was found to have safety hazards, including poor ventilation, flooding, chemical exposure, and unsafe staircases.
However, the Department of Basic Education (DBE) has confirmed that the printing of matric examination papers remains on schedule and unaffected.
What Happened at the GPW
The Labour Department’s inspection team found that several sections of the Bosman Street building, including the basement, printing, and binding areas, were unsafe. These areas reportedly suffered water damage and exposed electrical wiring. As a result, emergency staircases were also declared off-limits due to corrosion.
While such notices could have raised alarms about exam paper printing, the DBE clarified that only Limpopo province’s matric papers are printed by the GPW, and those are not handled in the affected building.
“The Bosman Street building is under restriction, but Limpopo’s question papers are printed at the GPW’s Visagie Street facility, which is operating as normal,” said department spokesperson Lukhanyo Vangqa.
Printing Continues Safely
According to the DBE, a monitoring team led by a senior official visited the GPW site on 15 October and confirmed that the printing of Limpopo’s examination papers is continuing smoothly.
“The process is going according to plan,” Vangqa said, assuring parents, teachers, and pupils that there is no disruption to preparations for the National Senior Certificate exams.
The GPW, which also produces visas, birth certificates, government gazettes, and other key national documents, will continue to operate partially while safety issues are resolved.
Umalusi Confirms Readiness
Education quality assurance body Umalusi also weighed in, saying that it has reviewed the overall readiness of the exam printing and distribution process. While the specifics of paper handling are classified for security reasons, Umalusi expressed confidence in the systems in place.
“We can indicate that Umalusi is satisfied with the plans that are in place to manage the entire value chain,” the council stated.
A Calm Before Exam Season
With nearly one million learners preparing to write their final school exams across South Africa, the reassurance from both the DBE and Umalusi provides relief after a tense week of speculation.
The department has confirmed that all other provincial education departments print their papers within their own regions, meaning no other province relies on the affected GPW building.
For now, Limpopo’s papers are rolling off the presses as planned, and the rest of the country’s matrics can focus on what really matters: the exams ahead.
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Source: IOL
Featured Image: The Herald
