Members of the media
Our Head of Department, Ms Sharon Maasdorp
Departmental officials
Colleagues, ladies and gentlemen, good morning.
Today, Friday, 17 October 2025, we gather here as I present a status update on the readiness of the Eastern Cape Department of Education to host the 2025 National Senior Certificate (NSC) Examinations — a culmination of 13 years of learning for the Class of 2025.
It has not been an easy journey. However, through collaboration between parents, learners, educators, and communities, our learners are now ready to sit for their final examinations.
Preceding these examinations is the Last Push Programme, launched in September 2025 to mobilize communities, stakeholders, and partners in supporting the Class of 2025 as they prepare for the exams commencing on 21 October 2025.
To support this initiative, the Department has:
Trained Subject Advisors and Teachers on selected topics and assessments.
Developed, printed, and delivered General Study Tips, Self-Study Guides, and Revision Booklets.
Key activities include:
Differentiated Learner Camps (L1 and L2) in selected subjects by JENN, MST, and High Flyers Camps by partners such as SAICA and Kutlwanong.
Virtual Lessons in collaboration with ETL, focusing on “low-hanging fruits” — easy-to-score topics.
Teacher Capacitation Workshops (“Just in Time” revision strategy sessions, both virtual and face-to-face).
Radio Lessons on Umhlobo Wenene and other local stations — providing teaching and motivational content.
Standardised Assessments such as common tasks, topic revisions, and trial examinations.
School and District Support Visits by Head Office Curriculum officials.
Provision of ‘Write and Reader View’ Calculators — over 4,000 calculators procured through MSTCG, in addition to 3,500 already delivered.
To ensure holistic support during this period, the Department has partnered with other government departments:
SAPS: Linked all Spring School Centres and schools to local police stations to ensure safety and visibility.
Department of Health: Providing medical support for pregnant learners and those with health challenges.
Department of Social Development: Offering psychosocial support to learners in need.
Office of the Premier: Monitoring and motivating both educators and learners.
Preparations began in March 2024 with the registration of full-time and part-time candidates, followed by various support, motivational, and prayer programmes.
The Eastern Cape Department of Education is set to host:
108,311 full-time candidates
13,719 part-time candidates
Across 24 examination centres
All logistics — including the printing, secure storage, transportation of question papers, and the training and appointment of markers and invigilators — have been finalised in consultation with key stakeholders.
967 Chief Invigilators have been trained and appointed across districts.
New schools offering Grade 12 examinations for the first time include:
Alfred Ndzo: Nowalala SSS, Xesibe SS
Amathole West: Intlantsi Christian School
Buffalo City: Michiefield College, Vincent High School
Chris Hani: Mboleni Technical High School
Nelson Mandela: Victory Leadership School
OR Tambo: Endulini and Luokolwethu High Schools
Newly registered examination centres across the province:
Public Schools: 900
Independent Schools: 54
Special Schools: 11
Correctional Centres: 2
Part-Time Centres: 119
A total of 573 accommodations and concessions have been approved:
217 learners from rural schools
98 learners from special schools
173 learners from affluent schools
85 learners from township schools
Security companies have been appointed to safeguard all storage points to ensure the integrity and credibility of the examination process.
Recent incidents of sexual harassment and abuse of learners by educators have deeply troubled the Department. We condemn these heinous acts in the strongest terms.
The Department remains committed to providing a safe and secure learning environment and has implemented several interventions, including:
a) Development of ECDOE Child Abuse Guidelines
Approved by the HOD at the start of 2025 — covering legislation, reporting mechanisms, and support strategies.
b) Collaboration with Stakeholders
Joint efforts with SAPS, DSD, and others to improve reporting and psychosocial response.
c) Capacity Building and Training
District-Based Support Teams (DBSTs) trained to assist schools in prevention and reporting of abuse.
d) Curriculum Integration
Life Orientation lessons now emphasize child safety, rights, and abuse prevention.
e) Monitoring by DBSTs
Districts instructed to track abuse reports and conduct advocacy campaigns in schools.
f) Residential Care Standards
Guidelines approved in February 2025 to protect learners in boarding facilities.
g) Citizen Care Centre (Toll-Free: 080 121 2570)
A dedicated 24/7 helpline for reporting abuse and requesting support.
h) WhatsApp Reporting Line (078 660 1314)
Allows confidential reporting and support access anytime.
Other ongoing interventions include:
Establishing Joint Response Committees at district level.
Conducting workshops on misconduct and DPSA anti-harassment policies (2025–2027).
Hosting Imbizos for male educators in collaboration with unions.
Developing Standard Operating Procedures for reporting misconduct.
Holding provincial union engagements on prevention strategies.
Despite recent challenges, the Department’s preparations for the 2025 Matric Examinations — which began as early as March — remain on track.
The Matric Pledge Ceremony we are witnessing today represents a solemn commitment by the Class of 2025 to uphold academic integrity, honesty, and discipline throughout the examination process.
We call upon all learners to write their exams with confidence, remembering that their effort today shapes their tomorrow.
The Department remains resolute in ensuring credibility, fairness, and safety across all our examination centres.
Thank you.
MEC Fundile Gade
Member of the Executive Council for Education, Eastern Cape
17 October 2025
