The global Covid-19 pandemic left many not knowing what tomorrow may hold and questioning their next step to take in life.
With International Youth Day on August 12 around the corner, the NEWS met up with the head girl of Edenvale High School to find out how she thinks Covid-19 will affect her generation.
Head girl and white blazer recipient Raquel Weigl said the pandemic and lockdown regulations ultimately changed the reality she had envisioned for her matric year.
She said lockdown forced many learners to adapt to new teaching and learning methods.
“I think many learners found themselves in a stressful situation, not knowing what to expect.”
Raquel described this year’s matrics of Edenvale High as a close-knit group.
“When we were allowed to return to school it was special for all of us.
“Matric is meant to be a special year, celebrating 18th birthdays and the last year of school, but that hasn’t been possible really.
“This pandemic will be part of history so in a way it is cool to be part of that history but to be honest I would rather have had a normal matric year.”
Raquel explained that as a head prefect, some of her roles at school included setting duty lists, visiting primary schools, meeting with teachers and other prefects.
Since their return, head prefects were also tasked with assisting other prefects to overcome challenges and obstacles presented by the virus.
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“We get asked by other prefects how to handle a certain situation, as head prefects we make teachers aware of these questions and come back to the prefects with solutions.”
Raquel is uncertain about what the future holds for her and her fellow matrics.
Once she finishes her matric year Raquel hopes to study accounting at the University of Witwatersrand or the University of Pretoria.
“I had prepared for the national benchmark tests but some of the universities I am applying to are not going to have NBT because of the pandemic.
“In general, schools prepare you for university but not much can be done preparing you for a pandemic.”
Raquel said some of the teachers share the learners’ concerns but there is not much that can be done about the situation.
“It is what it is. I’m not sure what the future will hold for us but it does feel like we have missed part of our lives.”
