IT’S all systems go for the matric class of 2022 as they sit for the first paper of their final exams.
Matriculants are expected to start with English Paper One today, 31 October.
In Tshwane, Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga, accompanied by Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and Gauteng MEC of Education Matome Chiloane, visited Nellmapius Secondary School today to monitor the start
of the National Senior Certificate examinations.
Motshekga talked to pupils about the importance of hard work, perseverance and sacrifice before they started writing.
“We love you, my children. We wish you all the best,” she said.
The minister also thanked the teachers and the principal.
“I am told this is the biggest group of matriculants. That’s why we came here. You are representing everyone,” she said.
Chiloane said they are proud of the pupils and know that they will pass.
“You are ready and motivated. We know you studied hard throughout the year. Good luck,” he said.
Lesufi thanked the pupils for not dropping out and persevering from Grade R up until now.
“You stood still, you are here and are at the doorstep of your future. This examination will determine your future,” he said.
Lesufi said a matric certificate is useful for university acceptance, applying for a bursary and getting a job.
“This is like the Fifa World Cup or the Olympic games. Go out there and make Gauteng proud.”
The number of full-time enrollments in Gauteng has increased from 132 869 in 2021 to 138 877 in 2022.
And part-time enrollments increased from 42 884 in 2021 to 55 734 in 2022.
Meanwhile, in KZN about 198 000 pupils are expected to sit for the final-year exams.
Deputy Minister of Education Dr Reginah Mhaule, together with KZN MEC for Education Mbali Frazer, monitored the start of the 2022 matric exams at Ogwini Comprehensive High School in Umlazi, south of Durban, today.
Pupils are writing English Paper One for two hours.
Mhaule told pupils to relax and be confident. She said the department did everything they could to ensure pupils are back at school after the floods disrupted schooling.
“In schools that were damaged, mobile classes were provided. In cases where bridges and roads leading to schools were damaged, those were fixed and pupils were able to go back to school. Today, we are happy schools are starting with exams,” she said.
She said pupils who are writing matric exams this year were in Grade 10 when the Covid-19 pandemic began, but they were not entirely disturbed because when the department trimmed the curriculum, they didn’t trim the important topics.
“Interventions to prepare pupils for exams were also done. These included having extra classes and radio and TV learning to ensure pupils do well,” she said.
Frazer said there were customised learning programmes in KZN, including winter classes and summer bootcamps.
The MEC said pupils also used to come to school as early as 6am and left at 4pm to catch up.
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A matric pupil, Londeka Hadebe (17), from Ogwini Comprehensive High School said she is ready for the English paper.
Said Londeka: “I’m aiming for, at least, 80%. But I will know for sure after I’ve written the paper.”
