Entering your final year of high school as a member of the Class of 2020, the last thing you expected that only three months down the line, you would be wondering whether you would be able to finish matric this year, or whether you would be a member of the class of 2021.
The scary thought of not completing the year and receiving your National Senior Certificate at the end of 2020, is haunting the minds of most Grade 12s and their parents/ guardians.
The worldwide Covid-19 pandemic that made its way to South Africa early in March, has put education on hold due to the country’s national state of disaster and the consequent lockdown. Although schools implemented alternative ways for all learners to continue with the syllabus, those affected cannot stop imagining the worst outcome the Covid-19 pandemic could lead to.
Grade 12 learner, Bianca Bloem, explained the worries and fears she and her fellow classmates have. “We have exams coming up very soon, and we are battling with our school work. We did not have the opportunity to finish our last season of school sport, we are unsure if we will have a matric farewell, and we do not even know if we will spend our last school days together,” she mentioned. One these learners’ main concerns is whether there will be enough time to catch up on all the work when school continues.
She explained how schools are using social platforms to assist the learners. “Every subject has a WhatsApp group on which our teachers send through the work the learners need to study.”
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Although the learners are thankful for the alternative way to continue with the syllabus, it is not ideal and their worries grow. “It is good and all, but take mathematics as an example. If you do not understand the work, how will you be able to do it correctly? It also means that you will fall behind,” she said.
Learners are becoming increasingly unsure about their future, which has a negative effect on their state of mind. To try to help the Class of 2020 to cope, Bianca offered a few tips.
“Even though it is hard, try to stay ahead with your work. Do the assignments you are able to, and do revision on the work that you already did this year. Remember that you can ask fellow classmates for help if you struggle with something in a certain subject. If you have a practical subject, start the practical assignments that you have to do for the year,” she concluded.
A concerned mother, Bella Donna expressed her concerns about the future of her Grade 12 child’s education. “It is truly heartbreaking for our children. Having a Grade 12 who is going through this is the saddest thing I have ever seen. She asks questions that I can’t even answer, such as, ‘Will I be able to buy a farewell dress? Do I have to repeat the year? How will I be ready for university?’,” she said.
We at the Record are thinking of our learners during this time, and are standing together and hoping for the brightest outcome.
