MARKING of matric exam papers got off to a smooth start yesterday in the Eastern Cape with the department being commended for its preparedness.
Members of the provincial legislatu portfolio committee on education, who visited all 15 marking centres in the Eastern Cape, said staff at the centres were well prepared.
Committee chair Mzoleli Mrara said marking had gone well with no negative reports filtering back to him.
“Even markers were satisfied with arrangements made by the department. They used to complain about meals and accommodation, but not this year,” he said.
Mrara said their members, who were dispersed throughout the province, were happy about the preparedness of the department. But he warned that it was still too early to conclude that there were no challenges.
DA education spokesman Edmund van Vuuren said everything was progressing well. “We are happy about the preparation. The department did prepare well for marking,” he said.
Departmental spokesman Loyiso Pulumani said about 3 200 markers were employed to mark 1.5 million papers.
“Security is tight at all centres and entry is restricted to only accredited individuals.”
Pulumani said officials from the department of basic education and umalusi were also expected to visit centres.
He said as the exams had gone well, with teachers showing high levels of professionalism, the department wanted the same from markers. — msindisif@
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