The National Examination and Assessment Committee (NEAC) Lekgotla 2026, held from 4 to 6 May 2026 at the Caledon Hotel and Spa in the Western Cape Province, brought together senior officials, examination specialists, and thought leaders from across the country to engage on the future of assessment in South Africa. The Lekgotla provided a critical platform for reflection, dialogue, and strategic direction-setting within the examinations and assessment sector.
Convened under the theme, “Strengthening and Transforming the South African Schooling Assessment System – in the short, medium and long term”, the Lekgotla underscored the urgency of rethinking assessment practices in a rapidly changing educational landscape. The theme framed discussions that moved beyond compliance and administration, towards a more responsive, credible, and learner-centred assessment system.
A central feature of the Lekgotla was the series of commission discussions, which provided delegates with an opportunity to interrogate key challenges and propose practical solutions. Early discussions focused on addressing policy gaps within the national examinations and assessment landscape, highlighting the need for coherence, alignment, and agility in policy frameworks.
Delegates also engaged robustly on the administration and management of the National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations, reflecting on operational challenges and identifying areas for strengthening efficiency and accountability. Closely linked to this was a critical examination of monitoring systems, with participants evaluating whether current approaches are sufficiently effective in safeguarding the integrity of examinations.
The question of examination irregularities remained a focal point, with discussions exploring both progress made and areas requiring accelerated intervention. These engagements reinforced the importance of maintaining vigilance whilst continuously improving systems to protect the credibility of the assessment process.
Looking ahead, the Lekgotla placed significant emphasis on transformation within the General Education and Training (GET) and Further Education and Training (FET) bands. Commissions explored the General Education Certificate (GEC) as a potential vehicle for change, as well as the broader shift from a narrow focus on examination results to a more holistic emphasis on learning outcomes. Further deliberations centred on improving the quality and credibility of School-Based Assessment (SBA) and embracing the opportunities of integrating AI into assessment systems. The challenge of the growing crisis of capacity within examinations and assessment was also highlighted. Throughout the Lekgotla, there was a strong emphasis on moving from dialogue to implementation.
The NEAC Lekgotla 2026 reaffirmed the sector’s collective commitment to strengthening the integrity, credibility, and relevance of South Africa’s assessment system.