The National Senior Certificate (NSC) examination timetable has been adjusted to accommodate South Africa’s Local Government Elections scheduled for Wednesday, 4 November 2026.
Examinations will pause from 3 to 5 November and resume on Friday, 6 November. Monday, 9 November, has also been designated a non-examination day.
The changes aim to minimise disruptions to the examination process arising from election-related activities, including political gatherings and community protests.
Umalusi Chief Executive Officer Mafu Rakometsi announced the adjustment during a state of readiness briefing on 8 October, explaining that the elections coincide with the October/November examination period.
Rakometsi said the timetable had been amended in a similar manner during the 2021 Local Government Elections to protect the integrity of the examination process.
He said Umalusi would work closely with assessment bodies, provincial education departments and other stakeholders to prevent election-related activities from interfering with examinations.
“Umalusi has previously identified political activities and community protests as factors that can disrupt the smooth conduct of examinations,” Rakometsi said.
He noted that many schools, including those used as voting stations, hold extra classes during weekends and school holidays to help candidates prepare for their examinations.
Rakometsi appealed to political and community leaders, school principals, teachers and parents to help minimise disruptions, particularly around schools serving as examination centres.
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