Basic Education ‘confident’ matric results will be released on time

The department’s director-general Mathanzima Mweli gave an update on the marking process on Monday.

A total of 117 marking centres across the country are currently operational.

"There is nothing at the moment which poses any threat or risk to the release of the results," said Mweli.

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga is expected to release the results on February 22.

Mweli and his team have been visiting marking centers across the country in the last two weeks, he said they are operating smoothly but have experienced some challenges.

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Mweli confirmed that 2703 markers have withdrawn from the process while 238 tested positive for Covid-19.

The Eastern Cape had the highest number of Covid cases at 168, while Gauteng had the highest number of teachers who withdrew from marking at 827. 

"We are going to visit the KZN marking centers for four days so we can cover the entire province, this is because we have picked up some challenges in one center in Estcourt. One of the markers passed away - we were told the marking went to work not feeling well."

Mweli said they have encouraged markers to not report for duty when they are not feeling well and to follow all Covid-19 protocols.