MBOMBELA – Education’s provincial MEC, Ms Reginah Mhaule, voiced her satisfaction about the continuing matric exams.
Mhaule indicated that no challenges had been reported so far.
“Learners must read and understand instructions carefully. They must start by answering those questions they understand rather than wasting time on questions they don’t understand,” said Mhaule.
She called on pupils to focus on their studies and nothing else.
She voiced her disappointment with the alleged drunk youth, including pupils who were involved in an accident in Bushbuckridge last week. “We beseech learners to be found at school and home during exam time.
“We send our condolences to the bereaved families and wish the matric learner who is in hospital a speed recovery. We will do what we can to ensure that he writes his exams,” she added.
Mhaule encouraged pupils to study continuously and to continue with their revision of past exam papers and making use of their teachers where needed.
She also urged parents to equally support their children during this time of the year. “They must refrain from giving them too much household chores to give them enough time with their books,” she said.
She further requested parents to take note of any form of change of behaviour in their children and report any unfamiliar signs to the department’s Trauma Counselling desk on 0800-203-116. The province targets a 88,6 per cent pass rate from the 60 764 full-time and 7 038 part-time candidates writing their exams this year.
There are 552 examination centres in four districts of the province. Ehlanzeni District registered 17 917 candidates followed by Nkangala with 15 970, Bohlabela 13 333 and Gert Sibande with 13 373. A total of 4 501 teachers have been appointed to mark exam papers. This will take place at 17 marking centres from November 30 to December 14.
Results will be announced on January 5 at Marapyane Agricultural College in the Nkangala District.
