MORE than 191 181 pupils in Gauteng will be writing their matric examinations in 2023, with 132 561 full-time pupils and 58 620 part-time pupils.
Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga, joined by Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane, monitored the first day of the matric exams at Rhodesfield School of Specialisation in Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni on Monday, 30 October.
Pupils were encouraged to continue studying and taking the extra lessons until the last day of the exams.
“It’s not difficult. It seems difficult. It always seems impossible until it’s done. No one must fail. You must all pass,” said Chiloane.
Minister Motshekga said that she is excited that Gauteng has a high number of part-time pupils who have registered to write the exams.
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“This shows that when young people migrate in Gauteng as they look for jobs, they also look to improve their education,” she said.
Meanwhile, education activist Hendrick Makaneta has called on parents and communities to support the matric class of 2023 with all the necessary means.
“We must applaud the class of 2023 for being resilient during some of the most difficult times in the history of our education system. The class of 2023 was in grade 9 when Covid-19 hit the country in 2020. Despite learning under difficult conditions of the pandemic, where they initially had to stay at home and later followed the rotational timetable with a revised annual teaching plan, this cohort of learners stood the test of time, and today they are ready for the final leg of the schooling system,” Makaneta said.
He added that parents and communities should not put an additional burden on the shoulders of pupils by giving them extra household duties.
