The selection of markers for a specific examination question paper should be carried out by a panel comprising:

(Personnel Administration Measures (PAM), p . 105)

All selection panels should be chaired by a departmental official, since the provincial education department is finally responsible for the appointment of markers.

In order to ensure that the information provided in the application form is correct, all application forms must be verified and signed by the Manager of the Examinations Centre. Information in the application forms can also be verified by district managers. If provinces are not satisfied with t h method of verification, then all application forms should be accompanied by a sworn affidavit confirming the qualifications and experience of the applicant.

It is recommended that provinces commence with this process early in the year so that adequate time is available for the verification of information and the actual selection procedure. It is also advisable to select additional markers who will be placed on a reserve list, in the event of the appointed markers failing to report during the marking session.

Each examining body must have clear guidelines relating to the establishment and running of marking centres. The following, amongst others, may be included in the guidelines formulated by the examining body:

If the number of markers exceeds a manageable number determined by the particular circumstances; a decentralised approach to marking should be adopted. Marking can be decentralised in terms of geographic regions or groups of subjects.

The marking venue must cater adequately for the needs of the marking personnel.

The following aspects need to be considered before a marking venue is selected:

The control section is the heart of operations at the marking centre. The operation of the control section should be divided into three phases, viz.:

Phase one :

This phase entails a stock-take of all mark sheets and their respective scripts received by the marking centre. All unregistered mark sheets/scripts are to be registered in a specific register.

Phase two :

Chief markers sign a control list when scripts are issued to them and when they return the scripts. (At this point it is possible to determine exactly how many scripts have not been marked/returned.)

Phase three :

During this phase, copies should be made of the completed mark sheets that have been returned by the chief markers. The original copy should be sent for data capturing. Control lists are checked at this stage to see whether chief markers have returned all the scripts.

A marking procedure should be formulated by the examining body.

Annexure F provides additional information regarding the above.