Outrage as power cuts disrupt matric examinations

Parents and members of the public have expressed outrage at the effect that load shedding has had on matric exams across the country, with at least 30 centres in the Western Cape left in the dark yesterday morning.

Department of basic education spokesperson Elijha Mhlanga said the extent of the impact had not yet been established nationally because they were still waiting for provinces to report back.

“[Eskom’s] announcement is extremely unfortunate as it coincides with the start of the matric exams and the subjects like Computer Applications Technology [CAT] and Information Technology that need power are being written,” he said.

“We are monitoring the situation closely. We will look into the possibility of engaging Eskom with a view to alerting them to the negative effect the power cuts may have on national exams.”

Mhlanga said there was a backup exam which could be scheduled if there were matric students who were not able to write because of load shedding.

“Contingency plans are always put in place to accommodate situations of this nature.”

Democratic Alliance public enterprises spokesperson and MP Natasha Mazzone said they had been receiving concerned calls from principals and teachers across the country regarding the impact of blackouts on the CAT practical exam. Western Cape education department spokesperson Bronagh Hammond said they were aware of about 30 exam centres which had been affected, but were still waiting for final numbers. A total of 8 960 pupils were writing the CAT exam at 274 centres in the province yesterday. Hammond said that all district offices were immediately instructed to put their existing protocols in place for electricity shortages.

“These protocols include ensuring no scholar leaves the exam venue should the electricity cut out, and that they are instead quarantined until electricity resumes and technical assistance is provided,” she said.

“Scholars that had already begun the exam, will continue with where they left off once the electricity comes back on. There is an automatic save function so that they do not lose the work already completed in event of an electrical malfunctioning.”

She said the same protocol would apply for today’s Information Technology exam. – News24 Wire

We are monitoring the situation closely