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The Minister of Basic Education Mrs Angie Motshekga has once again appealed to members of the public to refrain from disrupting schools when protesting.

In three provinces supplementary examinations were cancelled last week affecting many learners who were hoping to upgrade their National Senior Certificate (NSC) results in order to obtain a pass in grade 12.

In the Free State examination sessions at seven centres were cancelled due to community protests. Thabo Mofutsanyana District officials were escorted by Police to deliver question papers, however the situation was so tense that they could not reach the affected centres. Examination sessions had to be called off after 10 o’clock when it became clear that it will not be possible proceed with exams.

In the Limpopo province two candidates at two examination centres did not write the examinations due to community protest action, and at one examination centre in Mpumalanga 16 candidates were unable to write.

As a result of the various protests the department has been forced to make alternative plans to accommodate the learners.

In support of learners writing supplementary examinations, the department has prepared recorded lessons for 11 subjects as part of the Second Chance Matric Support Programme. The lessons are available on various selected community radio stations and more information on this ca be found on the Department of Basic Education (DBE) website.

More than 92 000 candidates have enrolled nationally to sit for the Supplementary examinations across 5 928 centres which will continue until 30 March 2017.

Protests of this nature will impact negatively on the prospects of these young people who are trying to etch out a future and becoming contributing members of society. The actions of these protestors who infringe on citizens right to education needs to be condemned by all caring members of society.

Issued by Department of Basic Education