Anxious, but most matrics will party

MATRICULANTS will spend an anxious festive season waiting for their results, which will be released on January 6 2011.

Most matriculants said they were anxious about their results.

Mmiso Luphondo, 18, of St Davis Marist Inanda High School in Sandton, Johannesburg, said: "To be honest, I am a bit nervous. But I know I will pass because I studied well."

Reba Mogosi of Ferndale High School in Randburg, Johannesburg, said she was anxious, but was looking forward to Christmas.

"It is going to be a very different Christmas this year because normally, by the time school closes, you would have your results. But I will still enjoy Christmas because I am confident that I will pass," she said.

Today, Umalusi, the quality assurer in the general and further education and training bands, will begin the standardisation process to ensure that performance is in keeping with previous years.

The Home Affairs Department has urged matric candidates who have not received their identity documents to phone their 24-hour call centres for help.

"This additional measure to assist matriculants will enable them to obtain their IDs timeously," Home Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma said.

"We believe that this will assist in preventing a last-minute scramble when matriculants enrol at higher learning institutions or seek employment."

Callers who have applied for, but not yet received, their ID books need to provide their full names, surname and an identity number as it appears on the birth certificate; proof of registration for the 2010 matric examinations, an examination number, an examination centre number and a contact number.

Inland schools in the country will reopen on January 12, while coastal schools reopen on January 19.

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga's spokesperson, Hope Mokgatlhe, said: "The minister has consulted all district directors about readiness for 2011.

"She was reassured that it is all systems go despite isolated challenges of admissions in some provinces.

"Workbooks in literacy and numeracy for Grade 1 to 6 will be delivered on time."