By REGINALD KANYANE
More than a million candidates will sit for the examinations starting on Thursday. South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa said congratulated the provincial and national departments of Basic Education for their sterling preparation to ensure things proceed smoothly.
Ramaphosa said these include the independent and public auditing of examination centres, finding extra venues to accommodate the large number of candidates, and the development of protocols to ensure compliance by candidates and officials with COVID-19 regulations.
“The Class of 2020 has had to endure conditions their predecessors never had to confront. They had to adapt in real time not just to finish the curriculum but to catch up with the learning hours lost. Though some had access to online learning platforms and other resources, many had to struggle with access to learning material and teaching.
“They had to endure the mental strain of social isolation, and for many months were cut off from friends and their teachers. They were not able to participate in sporting, recreational and leisure activities that are so essential to a well-rounded life and that relieve the stresses of prolonged study,” he said.
Ramaphosa added that, despite having the odds stacked against them, learners are determined to present for this exam that is the pinnacle of their schooling. He further said it has been equally difficult for educators.
“Despite the risk posed by the virus and resource challenges inside our schools, the majority of our teachers heeded the call to return to school to salvage what was left of the academic year. They presented for work every day to support our matriculants.
“They put in the extra hours to get our learners over the finish line, making the most of the resources they had to ensure learning continued. It is the culmination of twelve years of schooling and a gruelling final year of preparation. For many this is an exciting moment, but one that is also fraught with anxiety,” said Ramaphosa.
He said this year’s exam will be written under unprecedented conditions has the country is in the midst of a global pandemic. Ramaphosa added that the nationwide lockdown that had to be imposed in March to contain the spread of the coronavirus caused immense disruption to everyday life and cost valuable hours of learning and study.
“To accommodate the disruptions the June Senior Certificate exams were postponed and will now be written together with the National Senior Certificate. This makes this combined examination the largest public exam ever administered in South Africa.
“I salute our educators who have been there for their students when they were needed most. They have given so much, personally and professionally. They put our learners first and in doing so affirmed once more that our teachers are among our finest public servants,” said Ramaphosa.
He said this pandemic has brought the nation together in ways not experienced before, and this was demonstrated in the matriculation examination preparations. Ramphosa said many businesses played a supportive role, assisting with the provision of technology like tablets to schools and assisting to resource school multimedia centres.
“Mobile network operators established e-school platforms during the lockdown carrying free learning content, including subject content for matriculants. University graduates set up tutoring platforms online, making much needed supplementary learning support available for free.
“The SABC and other TV providers have carried catch-up lessons for matric learners through the Department of Basic Education’s Woza Matrics Programme, enabling learners to prepare for the examinations,” he said.
Ramphosa also applauded parents, families and communities for showing immensely support to young people’s path to the matric exam. He said despite all the challenges this year has brought, he call on the Class of 2020 to summon their great reserves of courage and strength in this, the final push.
“To the Class of 2020, I wish you the very best. You have overcome difficulties that would test the resolve of even the most experienced and hardened adults. At your tender age, there are so many demands upon you. There are the pressures of rigorous study, the pressure to excel and to achieve the results you need to study further. And yet you have come this far.
“When you enter the exam room in the days ahead, you will be carrying not just your own hopes for success and those of your families. You will also carry the hopes of us, the South African people. We are immensely proud of you and wish you the very best of luck,” he said.
The Guardian 