All the best, class of 2020

KABOKWENI – For the first time in their educational history, these learners will tackle their final examination under extremely different circumstances, where they are expected to have their face masks on while practising social distancing.

The MEC for education in Mpumalanga, Bonakele Majuba, has wished the learners good luck as they embark on this tough and challenging journey. Majuba is expected to monitor the first day of the exams at Tikhontele Secondary School in Matsulu. Jasper Zwane, the department’s spokesperson, said education has already put plans in place to ensure that the 2020 grade 12 examinations progress smoothly.

“The department has registered 93 899 full-time candidates and 6 707 part-time candidates to write the 2020 National Senior Certificate examination. The combined June and November examination process will commence from today, November 5.

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All Covid-19 compliance protocols have been set up and will be adhered to during the exams to mitigate infections,” said Zwane. A number of matric learners with the majority from Khutsalani Secondary School in KaBokweni, told Lowvelder Express that they are ready for the exams. This school has 115 candidates. Khutsalani Secondary aims to obtain a 98 per cent pass rate, hoping to improve on last year’s 82. According to the school’s principal, Mbongeni Sibande, the teachers, pupils and parents have worked as a team to improve this year’s results.

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“We dedicated more time to our studies since we came back from the lockdown in June. We have conducted afternoon catch-up lessons and weekend classes,” he said.

“The learners’ performance in the mid-term trial exams also improved compared to the last year’s results,” he continued. Sibanda Leeton (18) said, “I have worked extremely hard to prepare for the exams. I revised previous exam papers and I expect nothing less than seven distinctions with a possible 100 per cent in physics and maths,” he said. Sibanda has already applied for two career choices, medicine and engineering, at various universities including the University of Pretoria, the University of Cape Town and Wits.

His classmate, Anele Mbuyane (17), said she was more than ready for the English paper this morning and the rest of her subjects. “I made sure that I understand all my work and asked for teachers’ help when I encountered problems. This is going to be a walk in the park,” she said.

This year’s provincial results for the matric class of 2020 will be announced on February 23, 2021.