Managing matric in a time of turmoil

An education expert said the current circumstances the matric Class of 2020 are facing are unprecedented, and have caused massive upheaval and uncertainty on top of the challenges they would ordinarily have faced.

“Even so, there are ways learners can adjust and respond to ensure they still make a success of the year,” said Wonga Ntshinga, Senior Head of Programme: Faculty of ICT at the Independent Institute of Education.

Any individual student is not alone and can at least draw comfort from the fact that the decision-makers are as worried as they are.

He added, “What makes the most sense right now, is to take what you do have and what you must face, and make the most of it so that by the time you get back to whatever the new plan will be – and there will be a plan – you have managed to get ahead of your peers and in front of your own anxiety.”

Wonga noted that while matric learners will indeed lose out on some of the experiences normally reserved for this year of school, they are also now, forever, the cohort that had to succeed while facing these challenges, which will earn them a measure of respect.

“Everywhere you look there is advice on how you should be coping and what you should be doing, and that you should have a healthy daily routine which includes learning, revision, exercise and sleep. When you are struggling to do this, it adds to your anxiety.”

He advised that instead of trying to do it all, learners should keep their eyes focused on small victories and goals – getting through today, or a particular chapter, or a past paper are all achievements. Stacked on each other, they will carry learners through.

“Identify the one or two things you can do every day that will mean success for you, and strive to then get them done. Aim for small successes every day, which will help to make sticking to routine the next day progressively easier as you go along. And don’t beat yourself up if you are struggling to get to grips with this new way – it is challenging for everyone, and there is a lot of empathy and understanding for that, also on the part of your teachers. However, for your own sake, you must try to show yourself every day that you are doing the best you can under the circumstances.”

But, Wonga said, getting things done might also call for some creativity on the part of the matrics.

“If you are sharing a small space with your family, and it is hard to get quiet focus time, try reaching an agreement with them regarding which times of day they need to give you some peace and quiet for studying. Or you could, for instance, change the times you study – perhaps late at night when everyone else is sleeping, or an hour or two before everyone else wakes up.”

It’s also worth taking some time to get to grips with the actual logistics of learning remotely, Wonga said.

Learners who do not have access to resources from their schools, should find out about the ones that are generally available, such as classes broadcast by the SABC (see below) or through the platforms of some telecoms providers. Learners can also share ideas and resources with friends using WhatsApp.

• https://www.sabceducation.co.za/media-office/4769-sabc-and-the-department-of-basic-education-launch-covid-19-tv-and-radio-curriculum-support-programme-for-learners

• https://www.sabc.co.za/sabc/ukhozi-fm-extends-its-programming-on-term-1-matric-revision-content/