News24 | Umalusi gives green light for release of 2024 matric results

Exams quality assurer Umalusi has given the green light for the release of the 2024 National Senior Certificate (NSC) exam results. (Jaco Marais/Gallo Images)

• Umalusi has approved the release of the 2024 matric exam results, noting that no systemic irregularities affected the exam's credibility.
• The exams quality assurer remains concerned about high copying rates in KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga, despite a national decrease in reported cases.
• Umalusi withdrew a private school's registration after it allowed unqualified students to register for the Grade 12 exams.

Exams quality assurer Umalusi has given the green light for the release of the 2024 National Senior Certificate (NSC) exam results.

Chairperson of Umalusi's council, Professor Yunus Ballim, granted approval for the release of the results of the exams administered by the SA Comprehensive Assessment Institute (Sacai), Independent Examinations Board (IEB) and Department of Basic Education.

He said there were no reported systemic irregularities that might have compromised the overall credibility and integrity of the exams.

Speaking during the media briefing in Pretoria on Monday, Umalusi CEO Dr Mafu Rakometsi said the body remained "seriously concerned that KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga are once again at the top of the list" of pupils caught copying in the exams.

While the number of reported cases of copying nationally decreased from 945 in 2023 to 407 in 2024, a total of 195 candidates in KwaZulu-Natal and 74 in Mpumalanga were implicated in copying.

He also said that a report from the basic education department indicated that a private school allowed 30 candidates who did not pass Grade 11 to register for the Grade 12 exams.

"This is highly irregular. Umalusi is satisfied with the action taken to withdraw the registration status of the school concerned."

Rakometsi said that Umalusi learnt from reports presented by the Department of Higher Education (DHET) that 128 private colleges administered the N2-N3 exams despite the colleges not being accredited by Umalusi.

"Umalusi has directed the DHET to investigate the matter and furnish Umalusi with a report."

The top 20 achievers met Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube on Monday morning for a ministerial breakfast. 

Gwarube is expected to release the full results on Monday evening. The department registered around 827 000 matrics who are expected to receive results.