Motshekga visit boosts Kensington High matrics

THE matrics at Kensington High School received a visit from Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga yesterday.

Motshekga stopped by the school as pupils prepared to write the English paper. The English exam was the first paper written nationally by all registered matrics.

She said Kensington High, known as a former “plankie school”, was one of 24 schools which benefited from the department’s Accelerated School Infrastructure Development Initiative (Asidi).

“We know the exams already started last week, but the English paper would be the first written by all the pupils. There has been some concerns regarding preparedness, but our department has visited regions like KwaZulu-Natal and given assurances all was ready.”

She said over 600 000 full-time students and more than 150 000 parttime students were registered to write exams this year.

Principal Trevor Jacobs said he has been at school for 34 years and is very proud of their achievements.

“Previously we were teaching pupils in prefabs and in 2014 we finally received these structures.

“Our teachers and students work hard to achieve academically and for the last four years our matric pass rate has been at around the 90 percent mark.”

Keyla Gaffley said she was extremely nervous but confident, and wants to study sport management next year.

“I tend to study in the early hours as there are no distractions and I’m ready for today’s (Wednesday) English paper.”

She said students must consider the cost of destroying structures that are sorely needed, and also how that adds to the higher cost of studies.