Johannesburg - Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi granted a concession for Grade 12 pupils who arrived late for their examinations on Monday morning, due to the #BlackMonday protest against farm murders on various highways.
"It is in our best interest not to disadvantage our learners for the unfortunate eventuality which is beyond their control. It is regrettable that, they had to write this important paper under this tormenting condition," Lesufi said in a statement.
The department said that all pupils who arrived late were allowed into the examination rooms at different centres in the Tshwane and Sedibeng areas, including those who accessed centres beyond the one hour cut off time.
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"It is important to note that some learners were also allowed to write at alternative centres," the department said.
"Administrative prescripts will be invoked to all those who might have missed today's paper."
The department added that according to information at their disposal, the majority of the pupils who arrived late were afforded an opportunity to write their paper and there were minimal exceptional cases of pupils who might have missed their paper.
Thousands of people took to the streets in different parts of South Africa in the protest dubbed #BlackMonday, raising international awareness on the attacks and killings of farmers in the country. Several major roads were blockaded in Cape Town and in Pretoria.