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Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga visits Soweto to monitor the start of the 12th grade final exams.
- Minister Angie Motshekga was monitoring the start of the NSC exams in Soweto together with MEC Panyaza Lesufi.
- He said an overwhelming pass rate would be an advantage considering the circumstances around the 2020 academic year.
- He also said that support will be provided to students who do not do well on the exam to prepare them for next year in June.
A matrix pass rate of over 80% would be an honor, but a lower pass rate would not be a train hit either, said Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga.
Motshekga spoke at Sekano-Ntoane High School in Soweto on Thursday, where she was monitoring the first day of the 12th grade final exams.
The minister said that although she expected good results, she would understand if some students did not achieve it because it was “a difficult year for everyone.”
Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi joined Motshekga and encouraged the students, who seemed somewhat anxious as they sat at their socially distanced individual desks with their schedules to the side.
Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga visits Soweto to monitor the start of the 12th grade final exams.
The minister said the 2020 academic year was unprecedented, but was grateful that they had managed to ensure that exams continued even though schools were closed for nearly two months due to Covid-19.
Motshekga said:
If we achieve what we achieved last year, for me it will be an honor or much more than I expected. Now I’m not worried about the percentage.
“We are even engaged because we have a June exam. Those who cannot do well, [are] I will support you more, [for them] write in June. We accept that it was a very difficult year. We thank the teachers and everyone, including the parents. Parents did everything they could to support their children. And I think as a nation we should be very grateful for that, “Motshekga said.
On Wednesday, the Department of Basic Education announced that an agreement had been reached with the Department of Health so that students who tested positive for Covid-19 could take exams.
The department initially issued guidelines stating that those who were positive would be excluded and not allowed to enter the test centers.
Motshekga said the Health Department had stepped in to offer help if the students tested positive.
She said the department would implement protocols and ensure that students with Covid-19 write exams in isolation.
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Motshekga also said the deal was a relief because it meant that those who couldn’t write would only sit for their final exams in June 2021 because there would no longer be supplemental exams in January. She said that would have meant the year was a waste for the students.
He applauded the teachers for their dedication in providing classes on Saturday, Sunday and afternoons.
He expressed his confidence that students could achieve outstanding results because they received additional support, which previous enrollees had not received.
She said:
They (the teachers) gave it their all. We also have the private sector to thank. They came to the party to help us with the Woza Matric. Several companies came to help us.
Lesufi said he was excited because he never thought the exams would come.
“I know the long meetings we used to have with other MECs. In some cases, we had two meetings in the morning and three in the evening to review what we said in the morning because we were not sure.”
He expressed his joy that the day had finally come and the teams had managed to prepare for the exams in the circumstances of the Covid-19 pandemic and the students were finally ready to write.
“It is an amazing thing and we are thrilled and excited,” he said.
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