Thousands of school certificates not collected

More than 250 000 grade 10 and 12 certificates still at the education ministry’s offices.
The ministry’s spokesperson, Johanna Absalom, said the ministry has noted with a concern that grade 10 and 12 certificates are not collected at the examination centres where pupils wrote exams.
“Employers and institutions of higher learning are advised to demand original certificates from learners whenever they apply with those institutions. Statements of results are no longer valid as soon as the certificate has been printed,” Absalom said.
She said the Directorate of National Examinations and Assessment has in its possession 250 991 unclaimed grade 10 and 12 certificates.
“The learners are always informed through a media statement in April every year that the certificates are available for collection at the examination centres where they sat for the examination the previous years. Certificates which are not collected within six months of receipt at the examination centre are returned to the Directorate of National Examinations and Assessment,” Absalom explained.
She urged the school leavers to collect their certificates from the Directorate of National Examinations and Assessment in Windhoek between 08:00 and 16:30 from Monday to Friday.
Those living outside Windhoek can authorise a friend or relative to collect the certificates.

GORDON JOSEPH