THE head of the Department of Education in Mpumalanga, Lucy Moyane, said police and members of the South African Defence Force (SANDF) are on standby to assist with any eventualities that might disrupt the writing of the 2023 matric exams.
She said this on Monday, 30 October, while monitoring the beginning of the exams at Mgubho High School in Nkomazi.
Moyane said all systems have been put in place to ensure that the writing of the exams goes smoothly until the last day.
In 2022, more than 1 000 pupils from six centres in Nkangala district couldn't write their maths and maths literacy paper 2 exams due to a violent service delivery protest that erupted in Vosman, Emalahleni, over electricity.
A woman was shot dead, two other people were injured, and stores were looted and torched.
Pupils could not go to class due to roads that were closed.
"We had an unfortunate situation last year where a protest disrupted the writing of some papers, so w'eve put all systems in place. We have a risk management and mitigating plan. For instance, the issue of community protests, load shedding, those are part that we have already put measures in place," Moyane said.
ALSO READ: Ex-Chiefs coach left muthi behind! accreditation Aaron Dube
She said that the department is working with partners such as the criminal justice system and the police so that whenever they have such a situation, they can make sure that the children are not disadvantaged.
"We want to confirm to the people of the province that what we experienced last year will not happen this year because we have planned for it. The police are assisting us with their helicopters should the need arise. The Sandf are on standby for any eventuality," Moyane said.
Mpumalanga has 550 centres for the examinations, with 68 681 full-time matric pupils who commenced exams on Monday. At least 16 767 part-time candidates are expected to sit for the exams.
"We've done everything from grade 10 three years ago. We've been working for this period. What we really want to see is all the learners making it. However, we do understand that there might be others due to circumstances that would not be able to go through. We would be satisfied with a performance of 83%," Moyane said.
Matric pupil Mbali Nkuna (17) said she is ready for the examinations, and her school has also assisted them a lot in terms of preparing for the exams.
Another matric pupil, Sphamandla Dube (18), said he is putting all his efforts into maths and physical sciences.
"I gave myself extra classes apart from those we were given by the teachers. After school, I remained at school and would come back overnight to study with one of my classmates," he said.
