Education quality assurance body Umalusi has expressed concern over the Department of Basic Education’s shortage of marking staff ahead of the upcoming matric exams. The shortage is expected to impact subjects such as History, English Home Language, Afrikaans First Additional Language, particularly in Language Paper Three.
While Umalusi has confirmed its readiness to administer the 2024 matric exams, CEO Mafu Rakometsi criticized the department’s contingency plans, stating they are insufficient to address the issue.
Rakometsi urged provincial education heads to resolve the ongoing problem, warning that continued shortages could compromise the integrity of the exams. "Contingency measures are appreciated as a temporary solution, but this is not where we should be as a country," he emphasized.