Pretoria - As the final matric exams commence today, Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga has encouraged learners to remain focused, calm and study up to the last minute.
Learners started writing the three-hour papers, Computer Application Technology Paper 2 and Information Technology Paper 2, at 9am.
A total of 642 691 pupils have registered for the exams, 562 473 of which are full time candidates and 80 218 part time pupils.
"It's all systems go, I wish all of them the best," Motshekga said during an interview with SABC Morning Live ahead of the exams.
An optimistic Motshekga said preparations around the exams had begun a year ago and therefore learners should be ready by this stage, adding that "everything was ready."
She urged parents to give learners space to study, limit noise in the home and remove some of the chores to allow them to rest.
With regards to security measures, Motshekga said the department had done everything it could to prevent paper leakages.
"We have audited the security in provinces and ensured that it is tight. I'm sure we will not see a repeat of last year," Motshekga said, warning learners against cheating - a serious offence in education.
"If found cheating... they will face prison and be banned from writing exams for three years. For our employees, it's dismissal."
The minister said the standard of this year's exam papers would be as high as previous years and that moderators would not be lenient on learners.
"The papers were set 18 months before the exams started. Learners should be as good as class of 2008 and they don't need any favours, for their own interest."
She commended teachers for going an extra mile helping learners catching up with their studies.
