The government is considering temporarily suspending school examinations during the week of the upcoming local government elections, according to Cooperative Governance Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa.
President Cyril Ramaphosa confirmed on Thursday that the elections will take place on 4 November, a date that overlaps with the traditional matric examination period.
The timing has prompted concerns about logistical challenges, as many polling stations across the country are typically set up at primary and secondary schools.
Election Logistics And School Facilities Under Scrutiny
With schools serving as key voting venues, questions have arisen over how authorities will manage both examinations and electoral processes simultaneously. The overlap has placed pressure on officials to determine whether classrooms will be used for testing or for voting and ballot counting.
The dual use of facilities has sparked uncertainty among educators, learners, and election organisers, particularly given the scale of national exams and the need for secure, accessible voting stations.
Government Consultations With Education Authorities
Hlabisa said the decision to proceed with the November election date followed thorough discussions with the Department of Basic Education. According to him, officials had considered the potential clash well in advance.
“We considered that if the department of basic and higher education knew when the elections were going to be way in advance, they would plan to relax that week in terms of fielding sit-down examinations,” he said.
The Department of Basic Education has not yet published the official timetable for the matric exams, leaving uncertainty over how the schedule may be adjusted in response to the elections.
