There have been no serious irregularities in the 2008 matric exams, said education department deputy director general Penny Vinjevold on Wednesday.

"There have been no serious irregularities. There have been less than five reports of learners trying to crib. Those are the only allegations. This did not compromise the exams," Vinjevold told journalists in Pretoria. Matric exams ended on Wednesday.

The department's director general Duncan Hindle said 593 000 children sat for the exams. Marking of exam papers started on Tuesday and was scheduled to be completed next Thursday.

Sapa