Aside from the education department’s measures of rewrites and re-marking, there are also alternate avenues to take to still make career goals a reality.
Nerves and stress around the release of the matric exam results this week may be building, with anticipation and expectations running high.
The class of 2022 achieved 81,4%, improving on the 2021 results, so not only is there a level of pressure placed on the matriculant with everyone eager to hear the result, but it is also a time when every matriculant has to decide on their future.
But, failure at this point in their academic career will only define their future, if they let it.
Aside from the education department’s measures of rewrites and re-marking, there are also alternate avenues to take to still make career goals a reality.
People’s Post reached out to locals who had failed or not achieved the result they had hoped for in their matric year but managed to overcome this hurdle in their respective years.
After failing three subjects in 2017, Hayley Lawrence applied for a rewrite and managed to obtain her matric certificate.
“I had already failed twice. Once in primary school and again in Grade 10. Being older than the rest of my classmates was already a hurdle. I faced so much judgement. When I went to the school and realised my name was not on the list, I was devastated. I felt like I disappointed my family again,” she says.
Having failed English, Geography and Maths Literacy, Lawrence had all but given up.
“I really felt like giving up, but I knew that at some point, I needed that piece of paper. Every job these days wants a matric certificate and I did not want to end up just waiting around,” she says.
Lawrence is currently working in retail but hopes to still study further at a local TVET college.
Herschel Williams, now studying NQF 6 (diploma) in electrical engineering, says not having a matric certificate is not the end of the journey.
“I dropped out of school in Grade 11. There were many circumstances that led me to this choice, but that is in my past,” he says. “I have been to several TVET colleges (working toward) obtaining my degree, starting at N1. Sometimes I feel like I missed out on Matric, but it was not the end for me. I made the choice to try something else and hope to one day do my trade test to be an electrician.”
A trade test to be an electrician can be accessed with a Grade 9 education, granted the candidate has relevant work experience. Trade tests are available in a variety of construction-related trades including plumbing with various criteria to access these qualifications.
Leontine Sitzer-Thomas is living proof that it is never too late to realise your dreams.
“I am (now) a lawyer and I’m in the process of writing admission exams to become a practicing attorney,” she says.
She did not have a matric certificate and made use of the University of the Western Cape’s Recognition of Prior Learning programme (RPL) to gain access to the study programme. Most higher education institutions offer this programme for locals who meet specific criteria.
Sitzer-Thomas graduated in 2021 at the age of 52.
“I am living proof that there are alternatives worth exploring,” she says.
Tertiary or further learning at varying levels and institution types are accessible to all who pass matric, be it with an entry to Certificate, Diploma or Bachelor pass. Results for the class of 2023 will be released on Friday 19 January and will be available at the schools on the same day.
Re-marking, rewrites and supplementary examinations
If you do not pass your 2023 National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams, or you are unhappy with your results, you may apply to re-write certain examinations. You can also apply to have your exam paper re-marked or for the viewing of scripts.
- Re-marking of exam papers
Candidates can apply for the re-mark of their NSC November 2023 scripts online on https://www.eservices.gov.za
The closing date for applications for re-marking, re-checking and viewing of scripts is Friday 2 February.
You can apply for the re-mark of your scripts if you feel that the mark allocated is not a true reflection of your performance on the papers written.
A re-mark means that your original answer script is marked for a second time by a marker.
A re-check of your scripts is a further check to ensure that all questions are duly marked and that all marks are correctly calculated.
Western Cape NSC candidates who have a valid South African ID number can apply for the re-marking, re-checking and viewing of scripts using the online application. No hard-copy applications for re-marking will be accepted, and there’s no re-marking of Common Assessment Task (CAT) for life orientation.
Once you’ve received your results, after re-marking and re-checking, you may apply to view your answer scripts. Apply to view your answer scripts at ExamMarking@westerncape.gov.za with proof of payment. Fulltime learners registered at no-fee schools may apply to have their NSC November 2023 scripts re-marked or re-checked at no cost.
The results of the re-mark / re-check of the NSC November 2023 results will be released on Friday 8 March.
Results can be collected from the examination centre (school where the learner was registered to write the NSC November 2023 examination). Re-mark results will also be available on the wcedonline website. Candidates will be informed via SMS.
The payment for re-marking and re-checking are as follows:
Re-marking = R116 (per subject)
Re-checking = R29 (per subject)
Viewing of scripts (only after re-marking and re-checking): R220 (per subject and non-refundable).
- Rewriting an exam
You can register to re-write if you have failed to meet the requirements in the November examination, if you’re unhappy with the result you’ve received for a specific subject and you would like to improve it, or you missed an exam due to unforeseen circumstances.
The NSC May/June exam is not a supplementary exam, but rather an open exam opportunity for all repeating candidates.
The closing date to register to write the NSC May/June 2023 examination is Thursday 8 February.
You can only apply through hard copy. The application forms were sent to schools, as well as the district offices. Alternatively, you can download the application form on wcedonline.westerncape.gov.za.
Documents required:
- The completed application form
- Signed POPI Act form
- Certified copy of ID
- Latest statement of results
Application forms may be dropped off at the Education District Office closest to the learner.
Candidates will receive an SMS and their admission letter can be downloaded from the WCED website. Once all applications are captured and verified, candidates will receive an SMS to check their registration confirmation online. Verify whether all your details are correct. If any error – you must indicate it via email to Exam.Registrations@westerncape.gov.za by the advised due date. You will then receive your final confirmation of admission from March.
For more information on supplementary exams, email Exam.Registrations@westerncape.gov.za
