South Africa: Matric Pupils Can Switch Exam Centres If Protests Cause Trouble

What the report says

South Africa’s Department of Basic Education says matric learners who are disrupted by protests or other incidents will be able to write their final examinations at alternative centres, with trained officials on standby. The announcement comes as the 2026 National Senior Certificate exams begin on 13 October and continue until 26 November, and as authorities prepare for a record number of candidates.

According to Scrolla, distributed by AllAfrica, 962,832 learners have registered for this year’s matric exams. The department says the cohort includes 815,051 full-time candidates and 147,781 part-time candidates, both higher than in 2025. Officials have also said they have checked about 7,100 examination centres across the country and put tighter security measures in place around the printing, storage and delivery of question papers.

Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube and senior department officials said contingency plans are in place for disruptions such as protests and severe weather. The report says police and education authorities are working together to protect exam materials and prevent cheating, while 189 marking centres and more than 51,000 markers have been arranged. The department also plans pledges for learners and parents and a 24-hour hotline for reporting suspected irregularities.

The preparations matter because the exams are a major milestone for South African school leavers and are being held amid concerns about potential disruption in parts of KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng. The report also notes that the department is aiming for a zero-tolerance approach to exam misconduct.