South African matriculants positive about final exams

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20 October 2015

They were optimistic about their final exams, which started on Monday in South Africa, several grade 12 pupils said on Saturday, 17 October.

Those studying the subject computer applications technology were be the first to sit a final, yesterday morning. Information Technology practical exams is to take place on today. The majority of the matriculants will start writing next week, on 26 October. English is the first main exam to be written.

On Saturday, the minister in the Presidency for planning, monitoring and evaluation, Minister Jeff Radebe, spoke to matriculants at the Ivory Park community hall in Tembisa, in Gauteng. The event was aimed at encouraging pupils to prioritise education, motivate them to be self-disciplined and inspire them to stay focused on their dreams.

Positive about exams

Matome Masingi of Allanridge Secondary School said he was ready for the National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams. He had attended a camp for matriculants where learners had the opportunity to prepare for the exams using last year’s grade 12 papers. “I am feeling positive that I will pass,” he said.

The event, which was aimed at motivating pupils to study, reminded him of the importance of education. The 18-year-old student said he was inspired to not give up in life regardless of the challenges that he may face.

Another learner, Koketso Nkomo, who wants to read law at Wits University, said she was happy about the minister’s visit and felt motivated to work hard as she prepared for her exams.

The government investing in education

Radebe told the learners that the government was behind them. He encouraged them to take advantage of opportunities that were available so they could develop themselves to be better citizens. “These opportunities require of you to take that plunge. the future is in your hands.”

He explained that the government had removed many barriers to education by introducing no fee schools, and offering bursaries and study loans to students who wanted to study at institutions of higher learning.

“In the past years we have also created a supporting environment in the post school arena. These opportunities include the expansion of the opportunities for training in technical vocational and training colleges as well at universities,” he said.

Radebe said the government’s budget also showed its commitment to increasing access to post-school education.

Increasing the budget

“In the budget for 2015, which will be used for the next three years. we are projecting the increases at an annual average of 5.9%… Last year in 2014/2015 financial year, we spent about R39-billon and this amount will increase in 2017/2018 to R46.3-billion,” Radebe said.

“The other amount in this current budget 2015/2016 will increase by 7.3% from R41.8-billion to about R60-billion, indicating the focus that the government has in order to give you the opportunities to study.”

He encouraged pupils to take advantage of opportunities that were available so they could develop themselves to be better citizens.

They were also encouraged to train to be artisans as such skills were needed in the country. “The need for skills in South Africa is very big, make sure that you train in areas where there is demand you will be employed for sure,” he said.

In conclusion, he wished the pupils well for their exams. “It is important to know that your government is behind you and wishes you all the success,” he said.

Well wishes

“We would like to wish all candidates the best of luck with the upcoming National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations,” said Nomalungelo Gina, the chairperson of the portfolio committee on basic education. “We encourage them to work hard and not to lose focus as the goal posts are in sight for them now.”

A total of 801 688 pupils have been registered for the NSC examination, which includes full-time and part-time candidates. The NSC results will be announced on 5 January 2016 by the minister of basic education and results will be released to candidates by schools on 6 January 2016.

The committee urged parents, family members and caregivers to support candidates in every possible way and to ensure that they had enough study time and a conducive environment to successfully prepare for the examinations. It wished teachers and invigilators luck. “We want everyone to be at their best to ensure clean and credible NSC examinations for 2015.”

Even people on Twitter wished the matriculants of 2015 well:

Source: SAnews.gov and SouthAfrica.info reporter

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