On the 23rd of October 2018, thousands of candidates will begin writing the 2019 NSC examinations. This year 53 395 full time candidates and 9 075 part-time candidates have registered for the examinations.

Today the MEC of Education visited Trafalgar High School where 150 NSC candidates took part in a pledge signing ceremony that shows their commitment to complying with all rules and regulations relating to the NSC exams.

Schools have been asked to conduct an assembly for all Grade 12 learners as part of their orientation and preparation for the writing of the NSC examinations. Candidates will be asked to read a pledge stating that they will uphold the principles of honesty and integrity in the examination by:

1. Complying with all the rules and regulations relevant to the National Senior Certificate examination.
2. Following the lawfully recognized instructions of the invigilator during the writing of the examination.
3. Not being influenced, in any way, to cheat in the examination by any person including the invigilator.
4. Not participating in any wrongdoing which includes, but is not limited to: copying, being in possession of unauthorised material or electronic devices (example cellphone), accepting or providing assistance to another candidate, writing on behalf of another candidate or any other unauthorised action.
5. Reporting any form of wrongdoing that I am aware of to the school principal.

All learners and their parents or guardians are also required to sign a Commitment Agreement prior to the commencement of the examinations.

The Commitment Agreement provides a detailed list of the key rules and regulations relating to the NSC examinations, as well as a list of irregularities that may occur during the writing of the examinations.

Some of the irregularities include:

· Bringing unauthorised material into the examination room (crib notes, cellphones, other electronic devices etc.)
· Copying (from another person/any other source)
· Allowing other candidates to copy from them
· Ghost writers – any other person writing on their behalf
· Accepting an answer from an invigilator or official
· Being drunk or disorderly
· Getting or distributing the question paper before the stipulated writing date and time.

The WCED has appointed 1 463 invigilators at the 466 exam centres. Part of their duties is to check whether candidates are adhering to the NSC rules and regulations.