Picture: Batlhaping High School
By OBAKENG MAJE
More than 46 395 Grade 12 learners in the North West, will be sitting for their National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations across 448 centres today. However, it seems it will be a bumpy start for some Grade 12 learners from Batlhaping High School in Taung.
This comes after they were taken to a camping centre in Louwna on Saturday night, but they were forced to return home in the wee hours of Sunday morning after there was accommodation for them. Some of the learners alleged that there was no electricity and the centre too.
However, the North West Department of Education spokesperson, Mphata Molokwane said indeed there was a shortage of accommodation for 57 learners due to overlap. Molokwane said the plan was that learners from Batlhaping High School were scheduled to be accommodated at the Louwna Hostels.
“Due to the 57-person overlap, it was decided to return the learners to their centre/school. The circuit coordinator visited the facility in person to confirm its legitimacy, however, when rooms were assigned upon arrival, there was a shortage.
“The department was able to pick it up yesterday upon arrival. There is a plan for Batlhaping High School learners and parents and the School Governing Body (SGB) were fully informed. This arrangement won’t affect learners, as the department is making sure that the learners will be in good care throughout the examinations,” he said.
The North West acting Premier, Nono Maloyi said, he is confident that the Class of 23 will do well in their final examinations. Maloyi further said the North West Department of Education has done enough spade work to prepare learners for this year’s National Senior Certificate examinations.
“I am confident that these learners will do well in these examinations given the enormous work that the department has carried out in preparation of these examinations. I am also confident with the readiness on the technical side.
“The printing of question papers is up to prescribed standards and safety measures have been put in place. To our Class of 23, the provincial government is fully behind you. I would also like to express our gratitude to the parents, SGBs, as well as community members for their unwavering support to the learners throughout the 2023 academic year,” he added.
Maloyi also thanked the parents and all stakeholders for their continued support and further pleaded for more parental support during this critical time of the year.
Meanwhile, the convenor of Moral Regeneration Movement (MRM) Interim Provincial Committee, Pastor Lesiba Kgwele said, they appeal for support and no disruption. He said they urge Grade 12 learners to stay focused and not to be distracted from the task at hand.
“We urge the communities to allow learners the opportunity to write their final exams in a peaceful and conducive environment. The sacrifices and extra effort they have had to put as part of preparing for the exams throughout the year, must be safeguarded so that they achieve their objective to pursue their dreams.
“The investment that the country has made in the education of young people as future leaders is key to sustainable development. We therefore appeal to public transport operators for hassle free transportation of learners to their various examination centres,” he said.
The Guardian 