Matriculants Advised to Avoid Social Media Before Final Exams

Gauteng Education Officials Warn Matriculants to Avoid Social Media as Final Exams Approach

Education officials in Gauteng have issued a strong warning to matriculants to distance themselves from social media platforms as the National Senior Certificate examinations draw near, citing concerns about distractions and misinformation that could impact student performance.

The examinations, scheduled to begin on October 21, come as education authorities finalize preparations to ensure a smooth testing process for thousands of students across the province.

Nadine Pote, Chief Director for Examinations and Assessment, emphasized the negative influence social media can have on students during this critical period. “We’ve seen the devastating impact it can have on young people from bullying and fake news to the spread of misinformation that affects academic performance,” Pote said.

She advised students to focus instead on traditional study materials. “My advice is simple: stay clear of social media, focus on your textbooks, your study notes, and past exam papers,” she added.

The warning comes amid concerns about fraudulent examination papers being circulated online. According to Pote, unscrupulous operators are reformatting fake exam papers to resemble official 2025 National Senior Certificate papers. “Don’t waste your time or money on these,” she cautioned students.

The Gauteng Department of Education has implemented comprehensive measures to ensure examination integrity. Nearly 1,600 monitors and chief invigilators have been appointed and trained to oversee the process. Security protocols include CCTV cameras, armed escorts, and security clearances for staff handling question papers.

“We conduct end-to-end monitoring at all sites to maintain credibility and integrity,” Pote explained. “Our team is working tirelessly to ensure every aspect of the process runs smoothly so that learners receive their results on time.”

For the marking process, approximately 13,000 markers have been appointed. The department has also tested all IT systems to ensure accurate processing of results, which are expected to be released on January 13, 2026. Students can expect to receive their certificates within two to three months following the results announcement.

Before examinations begin, matriculants are expected to participate in a pledge signing ceremony on October 17. During this event, students will commit to maintaining examination integrity and proper conduct throughout the testing period.

The examination preparations come as Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane revealed demographic insights about the province’s student population. According to Chiloane, between 150,000 and 200,000 foreign national pupils are currently enrolled across all grades in Gauteng schools, representing approximately 7% of the total student population in the province.

This statistic highlights the diverse nature of Gauteng’s education landscape, which education officials must consider when planning and implementing examination protocols.

The National Senior Certificate examinations represent a crucial milestone for South African students, determining university admissions and future career prospects. The heightened security measures reflect the importance education authorities place on maintaining the credibility of these assessments.

Education experts note that social media distractions have increasingly become a challenge for students worldwide, with studies showing that excessive use can negatively impact concentration, sleep patterns, and overall academic performance.

As the examination date approaches, education officials continue to emphasize the importance of proper preparation, adequate rest, and focused study to ensure students can perform at their best during this decisive period in their academic journey.