DESPITE recent school violence that saw a learner at Hlamvana High School being stabbed to death and a shooting of vice principal of Nomyaca High School near eShowe, the 2015 matric examinations are still on track.
This was the announcement of the Department of Education’s uThungulu District Director, David Chonco.
Chonco, accompanied by the Provincial Department of Education’s Head of Department, Dr Nkosinathi Sishi was speaking during a visit to Emkhayideni Technical Secondary and Ntongande Secondary School.
‘As a district we supported learners of the affected schools with trauma debriefing and support in terms of motivating and not allowing them to be detracted from the exams, and to remain focused.
‘In fact we have just learnt that the stabbing suspect at Hlamvana was still at a primary school and was a member of a gang.’
The visit was aimed at monitoring examinations at various schools in light of last year’s matric cheating scandal that rocked both the district and the province.
‘We are here to ensure that examinations are continuing without any disruptions. We are also happy that schools have stationery monitors.
‘We are doing these unannounced visits to ensure that all procedures and processes are complied with,’ he said.
Chonco added that the recent strong winds did affect some school buildings, but insisted that examinations were not disrupted.
‘All learners wrote accordingly. We can also add that no extension on the time table will be necessary and the final papers will still be written on 28 November. We are on track thus far,’ he said.
Dr Sishi said he was pleased to see that invigilation policy was being implemented and all the necessary steps were taken.
