Matric exams continue in alternative venues after storm damages 30 schools in Mpumalanga

He said officials were visiting the affected schools to take stock of the magnitude of damage and thereafter advice on the cause of action to be undertaken.

Basic education deputy minister Dr Reginah Mhaule said she was saddened by the deaths of four people and the damage to 30 schools.

She has since thanked the provincial education department for making sure that the exams were not disturbed by providing alternative examination centers right away. 

“The weather have also threatened the administration of the senior certificate examination and disrupted schooling as more than 10 high schools we damaged. I would like to commend the swift action of the district officials who averted a crisis on Monday by protecting the matric examination which went on as planned, despite the damages.

“The classrooms of lower grades which were not damaged were used and we would like to appreciate the good gestures by our churches who have offered their buildings to be used for exam purposes, we are really grateful,” said Mhaule. 

“The most affected area in terms of damage is the Nkomazi municipality where a number of schools had their roofs blown away on Sunday afternoon including community halls and private houses,” she said.

“The department is pleased to report that the 2024 grade 12 National Senior Certificate examinations are progressing well, even in the face of challenging weather conditions.”

Despite the heavy storms affecting some schools in all districts, candidates demonstrated remarkable resilience today as they successfully sat for their English Home Language, English First Additional Language, and English Second Additional Language papers.

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