The Department of Basic Education has urged provinces to remain vigilant amid adverse weather, with heat, heavy rain and thunderstorms expected to affect parts of the country, including Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West and the Northern Cape.
The department, however, says the 2026 National Senior Certificate exams are progressing smoothly as learners enter the final phase, but has raised concern about absenteeism, particularly among part-time candidates.
It says preparations for marking are underway, with marking centres set to open between November 26 and 28 and marking to start on December 1.
Basic Education Department spokesperson Terence Khala says: “We’ve seen challenges in provinces such as Limpopo, as well as provinces such as KZN, where you’re looking at the extreme and adverse heat conditions in particular. We are obviously experiencing a very intense heat season as well in provinces like Gauteng, and I think the more important aspect with that has been making sure that we can get the information to our centres. To make sure that they have sufficient water, make sure that there’s sufficient circulation, and things that will allow candidates to write in an environment that is conducive. But equally, to continue to encourage those messages to be shared with our young people.”
PODCAST | Basic Education Department says 2026 Matric Exams Progress Well Despite Weather-Related Disruptions: