The Department of Basic Education has declared the country ready for the 2026 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations, with nearly one million candidates expected to sit for the exams this year.

Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube announced the department’s state of readiness on Sunday, 11 October, saying preparations for the Class of 2026 are complete and that learners are ready for the examination period.

“This is the largest full-time cohort to sit the National Senior Certificate examinations to date”

– basic education minister

siviwe gwarube

Nearly 1 million candidates registered

A total of 815 051 full-time candidates have registered for the October/November 2026 examinations. This is an increase of 48 508 candidates compared with last year.

Another 147 781 part-time candidates have registered, including learners seeking to improve their previous results.

This brings the total number of candidates registered for the 2026 NSC examinations to 962 832.

The department says the increase in full-time registrations indicates that more learners are remaining in school and completing Grade 12 in good time.

Learners received additional support

The Department of Basic Education says it has provided additional support to learners ahead of the examinations.

The 2026 Learner Support Programme was implemented across all 75 education districts, reaching 159 180 learners at 1 262 centres.

The programme included additional lessons and revision, with support targeted at learners who needed extra assistance, progressed learners and schools facing performance challenges.

Learners have also been encouraged to use revision guides, previous examination papers, online learning materials and mock examinations to prepare for the final papers.

More than 7 000 examination centres

The department says there will be around 7 100 examination centres nationally.

These centres have been audited, with a risk-based monitoring system put in place to strengthen security and oversight during the examinations.

The setting, moderation and quality assurance of examination papers have also been completed, with the papers approved by Umalusi.

A total of 189 marking centres have been established, with 51 104 qualified educators recruited to mark the examination scripts.

Minister calls for communities to protect matric exams

Gwarube has appealed to communities not to disrupt the examinations because of service-delivery, political or socio-economic grievances.

She said matric learners should not be caught up in broader community disputes and called on communities to allow the examinations to proceed without disruption.

The department has also put contingency plans in place to respond to challenges such as severe weather and community disruptions.

A message to the Class of 2026

With the exams fast approaching, the Minister urged learners to remain disciplined, manage their time and make use of the remaining preparation period.

Parents and guardians have also been asked to create a supportive environment at home and give learners enough time and space to study.

“I am happy to declare that learners are ready for the 2026 NSC Exams,” Gwarube said.

The Minister officially declared the Department of Basic Education and the Class of 2026 ready for the 2026 National Senior Certificate examinations.