Gauteng matric pupil takes own life before exam
The Department of Education in Gauteng says the 2023 matric exams got off to a smooth start.
The Class of 2023 kicked off their exams on Monday with English Home Language Paper 1 and English First Additional Language Paper 1.
The department says the majority of the candidates were present and honoured all rules and regulations.
However, there were a few instances of absenteeism among full-time candidates, and one pupil was caught with a cell phone in the exam centre.
Eight candidates said they were not ready to write, and two other candidates did not write due to unknown whereabouts.
Spokesperson Steve Mabona says one pupil committed suicide a day before the start of the exams.
"Three other candidates were also hospitalised due to health issues and were unable to write. We have recorded a concerning rate of absenteeism among part-time candidates from all districts as well.
"We are deeply saddened by an incident where a full-time candidate from Unity Secondary School in Daveyton, Ekurhuleni, tragically took her own life by allegedly poisoning herself on Sunday, 29 October 2023, a day before the exams."
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