The Gauteng education department postponed the preliminary matric exams for two weeks because of the national public service strike.

"The Gauteng department of education has regrettably taken a decision to postpone the preliminary examinations for two weeks," spokesman Charles Phahlane said in a statement.

Exams were scheduled to start on September 3, but would now start the week of September 20, said Phahlane.

Also, the papers would be written in the afternoons with catch-up programmes in the mornings.

He said the strike by public servants, including teachers, had necessitated the move.

"Firstly, the current strike conditions make it difficult to continue with the exams immediately, and secondly, once the public sector strike ends, it will be necessary to catch up on teaching time.

"It will therefore be necessary to twin exams with the catch-up programme," said Phahlane.

He said the department "empathised with the stress" matriculants and their parents were experiencing.

Study guides were available on www.thutong.gov.za or www.education.gpg.gov.za. SABC public service radio stations were broadcasting education programmes, said Phahlane.