Presentation Outline
(a) Introduction
(b) Organising Framework
(c) Scope and Size of the 2012 NSC examinations.
(d) Monitoring Approach
(e) Target Success Indicators
(f) Progress - Examination Cycle
(g) Progress Chart
(h) Learner Improvement
(i) Conclusion
Introduction
(a) NSC examinations has matured over the last few years
and its strength lies in:
• sound legislative framework.
• strict compliance
• strong national and provincial collaboration.
• examinations culture
• nationally set question papers
(b) Concept of the national examination system not
achieved in totality.
(c) Continuous review and improvement of policy, processes
and systems.
The Examination Cycle
Assessment
Instruments
Analysis &
Feedback
Credible
Exams &
Assess
Test Admin
Marking &
Moderation
4
Organising Framework
INPUT-PROCESS-OUTPUT
model
FEEDBACK
PROCESS
INPUT
•Policies
•Resources
•Plans
• Assessment Tasks
•Support/Development
•Standard setting
•Designing
•Administration
•Standardisation
•Marking
•Quality Assurance
OUTPUT
•Results
•Certification
•Measurement
NORMS AND STANDARDS
INDICATORS
World-class examinations,
assessment and educational
measurement system for the
st
Micro Framework
Inputs
Process
Output
Outcome
Policy Directives
PEDs
Final Assessment
Result
Learner
Performance
Competent
Educators
National Subjects
Committees
Resources
Monitoring system
Assessment Tasks
Moderation system
Assessment
support
Competent monitors
Competent
moderators
Systemic
Improvement
Scope and Size of 2012 NSC Exams
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Candidates:
Question Papers:
Printed Question Papers:
Scripts:
Examination Centres:
Invigilators:
Markers:
Marking Centres:
623 897
264
7.8 million
7.4 million
6570
65 000
35 000
123
Entered 2012
Entered 2011
Entered 2010
Entered 2009
Entered 2008
Province
NSC – Full-Time Enrolments 2008 - 2012
Eastern Cape
63 043
70 622
68 294
68 174
69 199
Free State
36 377
30 462
28 448
26 510
24 760
Gauteng
110 707
101 268
94 642
87 631
91 475
KwaZulu-Natal
152 194
139 965
130 302
127 053
132 272
Limpopo
90 724
93 289
95 869
74 669
78 182
Mpumalanga
57 145
55 735
54 542
49 592
48 989
North West
34 702
31 395
29 601
25 931
27 575
Northern Cape
10 691
10 765
10 406
10 426
9 281
Western Cape
45 408
46 862
47 062
41 273
45 602
600 991
580 363
559 166
511 259
527 335
National
8
NSC – Full-Time Enrolments 2008 to 2012
650,000
600,991
600,000
580,363
559,166
550,000
527 182
511,259
500,000
450,000
400,000
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
9
Eastern Cape
Entered 2012
Entered 2011
Entered 2010
Entered 2009
Province
NSC – Part-Time Enrolment 2009 - 2012
3 516
11 323
16 457
18 664
919
2 068
2 583
3 354
8 278
23 518
35 490
36 849
12 577
20 626
24 750
24 602
Limpopo
7 834
9 909
12 778
14 584
Mpumalanga
2 989
5 088
6 464
7 349
North West
1 029
2 708
3 131
3 434
Northern Cape
494
1 381
1 691
2 139
Western Cape
1 715
6 214
9 294
9 377
39 351
82 835
112 638
120 352
Free State
Gauteng
KwaZulu-Natal
National
10
NSC – Part-Time Enrolments 2009 - 2012
11
NSC Enrolments for 2011 and 2012
2011
Province
Full Time
Part time
2012
Total
Full Time
Part time
Difference FT
Total
2012-2011
Eastern Cape
68 174
16 457
84 631
69 199
18 664
87 863
1 025
Free State
26 510
2 583
29 093
24 760
3 354
28 114
-1 750
Gauteng
87 631
35 490
123 121
91 475
36 849
128 324
3 844
KwaZulu Natal
127 053
24 750
151 803
132 272
24 602
156 874
5 219
Limpopo
74 669
12 778
87 447
78 182
14 584
92 766
3 513
Mpumalanga
49 592
6 464
56 056
48 989
7 349
56 338
-603
North West
25 931
3 131
29 062
27 575
3 434
31 009
1 644
Northern Cape
10 426
1 691
12 117
9 281
2 139
11 420
-1 145
Western Cape
41 273
9 294
50 567
45 602
9 377
54 979
4 329
Total
511 259
112 638
623 897
527 335
120 352
647 687
16 076
12
Accounting
Afrikaans First Additional Language
Agricultural Sciences
Business Studies
Economics
English First Additional Language
Geography
History
Life Sciences
Mathematical Literacy
Mathematics
Physical Sciences
187 994
83 891
89 701
218 391
165 622
503 089
225 866
99 674
314 025
283 706
317 270
229 934
177 757
81 673
92 124
211 167
157 147
482 144
219 425
92 453
304 469
284 174
296 164
224 902
165 522
78 502
88 075
206 625
151 911
462 959
215 815
90 595
292 865
288 370
270 598
210 168
140 849
69 287
79 680
191 850
136 652
424 346
203 805
88 290
270 540
281 613
229 371
184 052
Entered 2012
Entered 2011
Entered 2010
Entered 2009
Entered 2008
Subject
NSC – Full-Time Subject Enrolments 2008 - 2012
137 527
76 797
79 828
199 377
137 524
430 521
217 875
96 481
283 611
297 074
230 194
182 083
13
NSC – Mathematics Full-Time Enrolments
14
NSC – Mathematical Literacy Full-Time Enrolments
15
NSC – Physical Sciences Full-Time Enrolments
16
Monitoring Approach
• Broader mandate of building a national examination
and assessment system
• Support visit conducted in April/May 2012.
• Self-evaluation instrument preceded the on-site
visit.
• Ongoing engagement with PEDs – through
meetings, teleconferences, regular reporting.
• State of Readiness visit in August 2012.
Target Success Indicators
a) High quality question papers are set and moderated
b) Examination centre and candidates are accurately
registered on the examination computer system.
c) Question papers are accurately printed.
d) Question papers are distributed on time to all schools and
candidates and strict security measures adhered to in the
distribution process
Target Success Indicators
e)
All candidates including learners with special needs are
accommodated in the examination.
f)
Examinations are conducted under controlled conditions
across all examination centres..
g)
Answer scripts accurately marked and moderated.
h)
All examination marks are accurately captured on the
examination computer system.
Target Success Indicators
i) SBA is completed in accordance with policy prescripts and
moderated.
j) All examination and SBA marks are accurately captured.
k) All examination irregularities are appropriately managed.
l) All candidates are accurately and timeously resulted.
m) Effective feedback provided to schools.
n) All eligible candidates receive certificates.
Registration of Candidates/Centres
a) All candidates have been registered on the Examination Computer
System .
b) Two schedule of entries have been sent to all schools to verify
accuracy of registration of all candidates.
c) Subject changes, immigrant candidates and special concessions
have been appropriately managed
d) Registration data has been audited by the DBE.
e) Mark sheet printing commenced on 31 August 2012.
f) Letters of admission to the examination will be sent to schools by
15 September 2012.
g) All enhancements on the examination computer system have been
completed.
h) A complete dry run on the system will be completed by 30
September 2012. Dry run done in conjunction with Umalusi
Registration of Candidates/Centres
h) All independent centres have been evaluated to ensure that they
satisfy the criteria for registration.
i)
In cases where there is doubt about the integrity of the centre, the
examination will be administered by the PED at these centres, or
will be closely monitored.
j)
Candidates that would have written the ERCO examination have
been registered as private.
Question Papers
a) All question papers are set by the Department of Basic
Education to ensure a national standard.
b) 264 question papers have been set by panels of
examiners and moderated by subject specialists.
c) The question papers are moderated and approved by
Umalusi to ensure appropriate standard.
Question Papers
Improvement Initiatives:
• Reviewed the examining panels where there was
evidence of capacity shortfalls.
•
Trained examiners and moderators
•
Results of intensive post test analysis results shared
with examiners and moderators.
•
Findings from international benchmarking shared with
examiners and moderators and incorporated where
necessary.
24
Question Papers
Improvement Initiatives
•
Pre-writing of selected question papers
•
Full implementation of the common assessment framework
for languages
•
Closer monitoring of the setting and moderation process
•
Improved editing and translation of question papers
25
Question Papers
a)
All question papers for November 2012 and March 2013
examinations have been set and moderated
b)
Question papers have been approved by Umalusi, edited,
quality assured and handed over to PEDS that are printing.
c)
Adaptation of the question papers for blind, partially sighted
and deaf candidates is complete
d)
Brailing of the adapted papers for the blind is in progress
26
Printing, Packing and Distribution
a) Six of the PEDs have excellent in-house printing facilities.
The remaining two PEDs utilise the services of GPW,
SITA, and the last PED outsources printing to a reputable
service provider.
b) Printing and packing progressing according to plan.
c) All PEDs have introduced pre-sealing of question papers
to minimise human contact with the question papers and
to improve the accuracy in packing.
27
Printing, Packing and Distribution
d) Storage facilities across all PEDs have been inspected
and security has been improved at distribution points
e) Question papers will be distributed to examination centres
on the morning of the examination, except in the Western
Cape. In the Northern Cape, only in schools that are far
from the districts, will question papers be stored at
schools.
f) Western Cape will pilot daily distribution of question
papers to schools in 2013.
28
Writing of the examination
a) Examination commences on 22 October 2012 and
concludes on 28 November 2012.
a) Invigilators who supervise the writing of exams are in the
process of being trained across all PEDs.
b) The principal is the Chief Invigilator, except in cases where
he/she has a son or daughter writing Grade 12.
c) Detailed regulations govern the conduct of exams and the
managing of irregularities – DBE has issued a Guideline
document to assist this process.
29
Writing of the examination
d) All chief invigilators and invigilators are officially
appointed for the duration of the examination and are
made aware of the responsibility.
e) The writing of the examinations will be monitored by
DBE, PEDs and Umalusi.
f) Schools with previous irregularities will be closely
monitored.
30
Collection of Answer Scripts
a)
Stricter control of Answer books introduced across all PEDs.
b)
All scripts to be returned to the district office the same day.
c)
Scripts to enjoy the same attention and security as the question
paper.
d)
All scripts must be correctly labelled with centre number, subject
and must be sealed at the school level.
e)
All scripts to be controlled and checked at each stage of the
process.
f)
DBE has introduced norm times for the return of scripts between
the different collection points.
31
Marking
a) Marking centres have been established across all PEDs
based on the prescripts contained in the Policy.
b) Markers have been appointed based on the PAM criteria
and most PEDs have added learner performance as an
additional criteria.
c) Competency test will be administered. Two dates made
available for the competency test to be taken. Results will
be used for placement purpose in 2012.
d) Training of markers is ongoing and specialised training
sessions will be organised prior to the marking sessions.
e) National Marking Guideline discussions will be hosted in
Pretoria for all subjects, to ensure standardisation of
marking across all PEDs
32
Marking
f) Internal moderators to be appointed for each subject at
each marking centre.
g) DBE will appoint external moderators to evaluate the
marking at each centre.
h) Umalusi conducts centralised moderation of marking,
while the marking is in progress.
33
School Based Assessment (SBA)
a) Moderation of SBA is ongoing at the school, district and
provincial level.
b) DBE conducted a focussed moderation of assessment tasks
in selected districts across all PEDS, in July 2012.
c) Second national moderation will be conducted in October
2012 and will evaluate the assessment tasks and the learner
evidence.
c) Provincial moderation to be completed by 31 October 2012.
d) All SBA marks will be captured by 18 November 2012.
34
School Based Assessment (SBA)
e) Common Assessment Task developed by the DBE will be
administered across PEDs, in Life Orientation, 7 September
2012.
f) In addition to the Common Assessment Task, for LO, DBE
provided an assessment guideline and assessment
exemplars, to prepare learners for the Common Assessment
Task.
35
Processing and Release 2011
a) Marking will be completed by 14 December across all PEDs.
b) Mark Capture will be completed by 16 December 2012
c) A technical team will prepare proposals in respect of adjustments
for the pre-standardization meeting – 18 December 2012.
d) Pre-standardization meetings will be held on 19 & 20 December.
e) Umalusi standardisation meeting to be held on 21 December 2012.
f) Results will be thoroughly checked by DBE, PEDs and Umalusi
from 23 – 27 December.
g) Umalusi approval meeting to be held on 27 December 2012.
h) Results will be released on 3 January 2013.
36
Analysis and Feedback
a) Detailed analysis of results per school, per district, per
province, per subject will be made available.
b) Qualitative analytical reports from chief markers/internal
moderators will be consolidated for distribution to schools.
c) Outcomes of the Umalusi standardisation meetings will be
made available to curriculum specialists and examining
panels.
d) Workshops will be conducted with teachers and subject
advisors.
e) Under-performing schools will be brought to account and
improvement plans will be designed.
f) Curriculum specialists to develop subject improvement plans.
Certification
a) The issue of the certificate signifies the culmination of the
examination cycle.
b) The certificates for candidates that wrote the examination
in 2011 was distributed to candidates at the end of July
2012.
c) The 2012 certificates are scheduled to be released to
candidates by end May 2013.
Progress Chart
TARGET INDICATORS
PROGRESS
1. High quality question papers are set and moderated

2. Examination centre and candidates are accurately registered
on the examination computer system.

3. Question papers are accurately printed.
In progress
4. Question papers are distributed on time to all schools and
candidates and strict security measures adhered to in the
distribution process
5. All candidates including learners with special needs are
accommodated in the examination.
6. Examinations are conducted under controlled conditions
across all examination centres.

Progress Chart
TARGET INDICATORS
PROGRESS
7. Answer scripts accurately marked and moderated.
8. All examination marks are accurately captured on the
examination computer system.
9. SBA is completed in accordance with policy prescripts and
moderated.
10. All examination and SBA marks are accurately captured.
11. All examination irregularities are appropriately managed.
12. All candidates are accurately and timeously resulted.
13. Effective feedback provided to schools.
14. All eligible candidates receive certificates.
In progress
Learner Improvement
Teaching and Learning – Current Interventions
• Teacher development programmes targeting teachers in
under-performing schools.
• Development of support material – Newspaper
supplements, self- study guides, worksheets, exemplar
papers, radio broadcast lessons.
• Subject support strategies – subject workshops focusing on
content gaps.
• Resource material on Thutong portal and DBE website.
• Dinaledi intervention for Maths and science
Learner Improvement
Teaching and Learning – Current Interventions
• Focus on curriculum coverage – Curriculum Coverage
Monitoring tool.
• Teacher Accountability and Class Attendance.
• Diagnostic report on learner weaknesses emanating from
the 2011 examinations, together with remedial measures.
• Examination Guidelines.
• Distribution of past year question papers with marking
guidelines.
Conclusion
• All PEDs are ready to administer the 2012 NSC
examination.
• DBE will focus additional attention on the Limpopo,
Eastern Cape and Northern Cape provinces
• The DBE will continue with its agenda of building a
credible, national examination and assessment
system.