​Thembisa Shologu
The Gauteng Education Department has put in place measures to ensure the smooth execution of this year's matric exams.
A total of 194 611 matriculants in Gauteng are expected to sit for the 2022 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations between 31 October and 7 December.
Speaking at the NSC examination pledge signing ceremony at the BB Myataza Secondary School in Etwatwa on 24 October 2022, Education MEC Matome Chiloane said 138 877 full-time and 55 734 part-time pupils would write the exams under heavy supervision. 
"We had a meeting with all the districts and the officials responsible for the NSC processes, and all the reports demonstrated that we are sitting at a hundred percent.
"Our invigilators have been properly trained. We did training focusing on venue management, invigilation, question paper management, script management, candidate management and security," Chiloane said.
With the country currently alternating between stage 3 and 4 rolling power cuts, Chiloane said they have also considered load shedding a possible hindrance, especially for pupils with computer applications technology (CAT) and information technology (IT) practical exams. 
"Examination centres that do not have generators will procure or rent generators to avoid the disruption that may result from power cuts.
"The department has also leased generators to ensure that backup power is available for key processes such as marking and capturing to proceed during load shedding," he said. 
All examination centres, distribution points and district storage points were audited to ensure the integrity of the examinations was protected and not compromised. 
"We have beefed up security and set up CCTV at our main head office as well as district offices. We will also seek to tighten the delivery time of exam papers. 
"We have put every measure in place to make sure there is no exam paper leakage. I am confident that the leakage is not probable or possible in our province," said Chiloane, who is confident that the province was 100% ready for the exams.
He said learners have also responded very well to initiatives the department put in place to ensure that they are ready for exams. 
These include the Secondary School Intervention Programme (SSIP), Saturday programmes at Walk-in Centres and Special Camps and Just in Time (JIT) - daily live broadcast lessons by educators at a remote location accessible to matriculants online. 
Meanwhile, Gauteng Grade 12 learners have sworn not to cheat but abide by the rules and regulations ahead of their final year examination process.