Friday, 06 January 2012

Warning to matric repeaters

Matric repeaters warned of ‘fly-by-night’ finishing schools

The KZN Department of Education has sent a warning to candidates who are contemplating repeating their matric, not to fall victim to fly-by-night schools. DOE spokesperson Mbali Thusi said it is important that pupils and parents ensure that they thoroughly check the credentials of the finishing school they are registering into to ensure that the school is registered. ‘It is during this period that criminals take advantage of unsuspecting and sometimes desperate scholars,’ said Thusi. ‘We call on parents and pupils to remain vigilant and if in doubt to contact the Department’s Examination Administration offices to verify whether the school is indeed a registered examination centre or not.’ He said a finishing school that caters for matric pupilshould produce a valid examination centre number that is allocated by the Department.

Who to call
In order to verify whether a school is registered as an examination centre, potential pupils can contact 031 3270262 or 031 3270282 for the National Curriculum Statement (New Curriculum) and 031 3270312 for the Nated Report 550 (Old Curriculum). Alternatively, potential students may contact the central call centre on 0860 596 363, or make direct enquiries at their local education district offices. ‘Those who have failed matric (National Senior Certificate) can go back to class and repeat the grade,’ said Thusi. ‘They will need to go to their nearest district office so they can secure placement in schools.’ The closing date for applications to the supplementary examination is 24 January.
For more information, contact Mbali Thusi on 082 8817484