Despite an academic year like no other, hopes remain relatively high for positive results amongst the matric class of 2020.
The academic year came to an abrupt halt when the Covid-19 pandemic hit South Africa shores in March 2020, suddenly learners had to study individually from home whilst worried about themselves and their families’ health amidst a global pandemic. This was not at all the matric year Progress Comprehensive Grade 12 learner, Dintle Ngalo and the class of 2020 had expected.
“At the start, I was excited about doing my matric, I think everyone was like that, there was that energy, and then covid happened,” she recalled.
“All the advice we had received before about matric and what I should expect was suddenly irrelevant because no one had been in this situation.”
Schools across the country scrambled to implement various programs to ensure learning continued during a hard lockdown. As cases spiked and South Africa leading in the number of COVID-19 positive cases in the Sub-Saharan Africa region, it became increasingly clear that schools would not be opening anytime soon and a lockdown extension was imminent – learners would have to continue their learning individually at home.
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“That was another challenge. I’m someone who thrives off brainstorming ideas with a group of people, the group works, and teamwork, that’s my thing. Traveling wasn’t allowed during lockdown so we couldn’t meet up. Studying alone was very hard,” Ngalo said.
To meet learners halfway, television and radio programs were launched. Ngalo said the Grade 12 radio learning programs were especially helpful to her.
“I didn’t have a phone at the time so I couldn’t be part of online sessions. I listened to the radio a lot and that’s how I was able to at least try and stay on track.”
By June, uncertainty was in the air with no solution in sight. Ngalo admitted that at the time, she considered throwing in the towel.
“That was the most difficult time of the year because we didn’t know what would happen. There were rumours that we would write our finals in 2021 or something like that, but no one knew what was happening – it was a very anxious time. Someone I know had already dropped out and I considered it,” she said.
What saved Ngalo’s hopes was a friend studying at the University of Johannesburg (UJ), who advised the 18-year-old against the decision.
“I was lucky to have someone at varsity that I spoke to frequently and they advised me to continue and just work hard,” said Ngalo.
Ngalo encourages the class of 2021 to reach out to University students for direction.
“That (speaking to a university student) was one of the most helpful things to me and think it’s great advice to give to this year’s matric. They should reach out and speak to people at University because they already know the pressure of doing matric,” she said.
Another key tip to help your matric, according to Ngalo, is a healthy collaboration with teachers.
“I was quite fortunate to have such great teachers at Progress. They motivated us to work very hard. If they saw that you were struggling with a topic, they would recommend extra classes you can attend. The teachers knew us on an individual level – our challenges and shortcomings, and they offered great advice so I am incredibly grateful to have had the teachers I had. But it’s also very important for learners to reach out to teachers: If you’re struggling with a topic talk to your teacher about it, brainstorm solutions. Form a study group and ask if a teacher can help the whole group for a day or a weekend. Learners have to show initiative, that’s my advice to the class of 2021,” she said.
Although the year was a uniquely challenging one, Dintle is still hopeful Tuesday will bring positive results.
On Friday, the IEB released a 98.07% result, slightly lower than the 98.82% recorded in 2019. Considering the challenges faced by the current hopefuls, the class of 2020 is expected to take a similar if not more severe hit. Dintle and Co will find out their results on Tuesday, February 23, when The National Senior Certificate results are released to the public.
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