Matric Results 2020 Release Date

• The matric results were released later than usual. In previous years the results were released early in January, but this year they only arrived on the 23rd of February.
• The school curriculum was trimmed to get all the work done before the exams. 
• The June and November examinations were merged and took place from the 5th of November until the 15th of December. 
• The effect that 2020 has on the academic year of 2021 is that learners and teachers will have to include online learning in their academics, as well as get used to in-person classes again. 

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic that has made the 2020 academic year extremely difficult, the matric results were released in February 2021. The late results did, however, not influence tertiary applications. 

Here is what happened to the academic school year in 2020:

• A new matric results release date.
• A trimmed curriculum.
• Adjusted examination dates.
• What does this mean for 2021?

A New Matric Results Release Date

Usually, matric results are released at the beginning of January, but the pandemic caused the results to only arrive on the 23rd of February 2021.

Fortunately, universities and colleges accommodated the class of 2020 by postponing their application dates, as well as starting with the first semester later than usual. 

A Trimmed Curriculum

The Department of Basic Education needed to shorten the school curriculum to enable schools to fit all the work in the limited time.

They felt the need to trim the curriculum due to the unforeseen circumstances of learners not being able to attend school. 

The problem that occurred was that the matric examinations did not adhere to these changes in the curriculum. Instead, the matrics were expected to write on their entire curriculum and not on the trimmed one. 

Adjusted Examination Dates

The Department of Basic Education decided to merge the June and November examinations.

To allow learners and teachers to get through all the work before the exams. The merged examinations took place from the 5th of November until the 15th of December. 

What Does This Mean For 2021?

The adjustments made in 2020 will affect the 2021 academic year. This includes:

• More Online Classes: By this time, schools and tertiary institutions have tried their best to shift to online learning and will continue to bring online learning into their approaches. 
• Shorter Holidays: School breaks will be cut shorter due to the late start of the academic year. 
• Learners Will Need To Adjust: The nationwide lockdown affected everyone differently. It has affected most learners and their study methods. Learners will have to get used to in-person learning again and adjust accordingly.