No cheats in Matric '03 - Asmal

2003-11-24 19:24

Cape Town - Education Minister Kader Asmal on Monday expressed his and the department's appreciation for the way the matric exams - which ended on Monday - were conducted this year.

After the last council of education ministers' meeting of the year, he said Matric 2003 could be described as an incident-free exam process.

It was heartening to note no serious problems had occurred and no cheating was reported. Everyone involved was to be thanked for protecting the integrity of the exams.

Asmal said the marking of papers had started, and the results would be announced on December 30.

Regarding the delivery of materials such as books and stationery for next year, he said reports had been received from each province and the process was well on track.

Deliveries had started, and in some cases even been completed.

Polling booths at schools

The meeting also had discussed, among other things, discipline in schools, and a booklet on alternatives to corporal punishment was being distributed to all schools.

A national conference would be held in February next year to discuss the issue, attended by school governing bodies, teacher unions, and student organisations.

Regarding next year's general elections, Asmal said about 63% of all voting stations would be at schools.

Elections should not be allowed to disrupt classes, even if held in the middle of the week, and days before and after the elections should still be used for effective teaching and learning.

He also appealed to MECs and heads of department to ensure the regulations preventing schools from being used for political activities, be enforced without fear or favour.

- SAPA