MONDAY, 30 October, marks the official start of the final matric exams.
More than 717 377 pupils sat for English paper 1 exams on Monday morning.
And parents have been warned that those who use the matric exams to fight service delivery battles could land behind bars.
The Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill, which was passed by the National Assembly on Thursday, 26 October, criminalises the disruptions of schools and exams.
"We can't allow adults to use children as pons for their service delivery protests at the expense of the children’s education," warned Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga.
For years, parents used this opportunity and, in the process, disrupted exams.
Motshekga announced this during a media briefing on the readiness of matric exams on Sunday, 29 October.
Elaborating more on the Bela Bill, the minister said the amendments address some of the key challenges that have, for years, hindered the progress of our education ecosystem.
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"The bill has 56 clauses ranging from the introduction of grade R to learner attendance, code of conduct for learners, home schooling, rationalisation of schools, abolishment of corporal punishment and initiations, language policy, admission policy, criminalisation of disruptions of school," said Motshekga.
All the above-mentioned clauses in the bill are about providing access to education and providing a child-friendly environment as per the dictates of international treaties.
"The country can't fold its arms and watch parents using children at traffic lights as beggars instead of sending them to school," the minister said.
"The country can't afford to have children working on farms or roam the streets nor allow adults to use children as pons for their service delivery protests at the expense of the children’s education."
The minister said this year, more than 717 377 candidates will sit for the final examinations at 6 898 centres nationwide.
She said a total of 207 question papers will be written, with 72 500 invigilators monitoring the exams, and 52 500 markers have been appointed.
