Class of 2015, nostalgic, psyched and ready for matric exams
The learners were in high spirits before writing their paper, with many chatting and joking after the exam was over.
EXCITEMENT, laughter, jokes with buddies and a bag full of mixed emotions marked the beginning of the Class of 2015’s matric, senior certificate examinations yesterday and also the end of their schooling years.
It was all systems go for the National Senior Certificate Examinations when Berea Mail visited Hunt Road Secondary School and Durban High School as the learners wrote their first paper, English Paper One.
The learners were in good spirits after the paper, with many chatting and joking after the exam was over. While some were anxious about starting their final exams, many felt sad that it would be the last exam they’d be writing alongside their friends. Joel Kidgell, of DHS said: “It feels like yesterday I came to the school in Grade 8 and now my mates and I will be leaving. Everyone is going to different tertiary institutes around the country so we won’t all be together again.” Kidgell said his English paper went well but was more worried about Friday’s Maths paper.
Echoing his sentiments was school mate, Vidhir Neerput, “It’s nostalgic considering we had a long road from grade one, 12 years ago, that led us to writing our matric exams so there’s a lot of reflection and a hint of sadness.
Sthombe Mbhele, of Hunt Road Secondary told Berea Mail, “I’ve been relaxed because its English, but now that its done, the pressure is on for my Accounting paper tomorrow. I’m looking forward to Maths but a bit anxious as well. I’m also said because I will miss school, the teachers and my friends when they (exams) are over.”
Meanwhile Zandile Mabaso said, she had been very nervous at the weekend. “My whole family was nervous for me but they are very supportive. The first paper was okay, not easy or hard. I actually wished we could go back to doing trials this morning, but now I’m fine and ready for the exams.”
KZN MEC for Education Neliswa Peggy Nkonyeni said the province was combat ready for the 2015 National Senior Certificate Examinations, which would see at least 201 141 registered learners sit for the NSC examinations. “Out of this figure, 171 820 are full time candidates and 29321 are part time candidates. We wish all our Grade 12 learners who are sitting for the 2015 NSC examinations the best of luck!”
As a province Nkonyeni said the Department of Education was confident that all their intervention programmes had sharpened learners and that they would make the province proud.
“Our Provincial Academic Improvement Plan included among others, winter and spring classes, weekend classes and the Boot Camps, which we are confident, are going to contribute immensely on our performance as a province. We are therefore confident that we will have a good story to tell when we release our results on the 6 January 2016,” she added.
