THE Gauteng Department of Education has been of no help in the RECORD’s effort to try and get answers for the matrics from the Alberton Matric Project, who are still waiting for their results.
A number of questions were sent through to the department on January 17. The answers were vague. The original questions were sent back for clarification in addition to three new question that were added to the list on January 18. The RECORD confirmed receipt of the questions telephonically and again via email on January 19. To date, no responses have been forthcoming.
The RECORD wanted to know when matrics can expect their results and why they only have results for Afrikaans. The department did not explain the requirements they stated the Matric Project did not comply with, nor what needs to be done to rectify the problem.
Nor did the department give suggestions as to what matrics could possibly do to move forward with their future plans while their results are being hold back. To the enquiry as to who is to blame for the situation the department merely stated: “All institutions that are registered to write NCS examinations have to comply with each of the subject requirements with regards to SBA and the final examinations. The Alberton Matric project did not comply fully and the department is supporting the centre in rectifying these aspects.”
When asked why the management at the Matric Project did not get any feedback about the inspection in October 2016, the department’s response was: “The department has an obligation to result over 115 000 learners writing National Senior Certificate in the province. The investigation and its conclusions took time; however the results were made available to the school at the beginning of January. The district is working closely with the school to conclude this matter as soon as possible.”
Parents who have been in contact with the RECORD also made allegations that the school and/or the Matric Project was ordered to draw up a new set of exam papers and additional assignments for each of the subjects. The department did not confirm or deny these allegations.
The principal of Marais Viljoen High School, from which the Matric Project runs, confirmed that the school is communicating with parents via SMS and that they will let each individual know what they need to do to get their results.
An angry caller phoned the RECORD on Friday, January 20, refusing to give his name. He stated that the Matric Project is not Marais Viljoen High School. He was adamant that the fault lies with the department, and he made mention that people should know that the Matric Project has been running successfully for years up to now, without doing anything different last year than all the years before.
Between the Matric Project’s management not being allowed to speak to the RECORD and the department’s vague answers, parents and learners are non the wiser as to what the problems really are.
They are still left in the dark, with the possibility of some learners having to re-write their exams looming over them.
