South Africa's Class of 2026 has pledged to uphold honesty, discipline, and integrity as learners prepare to begin their National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations on Tuesday. The pledge-signing ceremonies, held at schools across the country on Friday, reaffirmed matric candidates' commitment to academic excellence and ethical conduct as they approach the culmination of their schooling careers.
Speaking to the Free State matriculants at the provincial pledge-signing ceremony at the Bluegumbosch Multipurpose Centre in Qwaqwa, President Cyril Ramaphosa urged learners to remain focused and not allow a momentary lapse in judgement to jeopardise years of hard work and sacrifice. He encouraged learners to believe in themselves, stating that the nation stands behind them and is proud of their achievements.
President Ramaphosa acknowledged the sacrifices made by learners, their families, teachers, and tutors in preparing for the examinations, describing the upcoming tests as an opportunity for matriculants to reap the rewards of their investment in education. He commended educators for their commitment to learners, noting that teachers often sacrifice time with their own families to support their students.
The President highlighted the progress made by learners from no-fee schools in townships and rural areas, saying their achievements demonstrated both personal dedication and progress towards building an education system that gives everyone an equal chance. He also encouraged the Free State to reclaim the top position in the national matric pass rate, a spot they held for three consecutive years from 2022 to 2024.
Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube, who attended the pledge-signing ceremony at Fezeka Secondary School in the Western Cape, urged learners to approach the examinations with integrity, discipline, and a commitment to excellence. She warned against examination irregularities, including bringing cellphones and crib notes into examination rooms, cautioning that academic dishonesty could have serious consequences for learners' future opportunities.
In Gauteng, Deputy Minister of Basic Education Reginah Mhaule joined provincial Education MEC Lebogang Maile at Riverside High School in Three Rivers, Vereeniging, for the provincial pledge-signing ceremony. Mhaule said the occasion represented more than a commitment to comply with examination rules, reaffirming the importance of academic excellence, integrity, discipline, and responsibility.
The 2026 NSC examinations begin on Tuesday, 13 October, with Computer Applications Technology (CAT) Paper 1 practical scheduled for the first session. The examination period will conclude on Thursday, 26 November 2026. Learners have been urged to consult the official examination timetable to confirm the dates, times, and subjects for their respective papers.
Key points
- President Cyril Ramaphosa urged learners to remain focused and believe in themselves as they begin their National Senior Certificate examinations.
- Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube warned against examination irregularities, emphasizing the importance of integrity and discipline.
- The 2026 NSC examinations will conclude on Thursday, 26 November 2026, with learners having sat for various subjects, including Computer Applications Technology, languages, and other subjects.
