Schools lashed for pregnant matrics ban

DEPARTMENT of Basic Education (DBE) Minister Angie Motshekga has slammed some schools for disallowing pregnant matrics from writing the National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams.

Motshekga held a media briefing yesterday on the state of readiness for the NSC 2022 examinations to commence today until December 7. Last week, practical papers for computer applications technology and information technology were written.

The department has been conducting visits across the country to monitor schools.

“It is clear, based on our findings, that we have a huge challenge on our hands,” Motshekga said.

In recent weeks, some schools have denied learners the right to sit for the NSC final exams, due to their being pregnant. Motshekga said the national policy on the prevention and management of learner pregnancy states that barring a learner from school on the grounds of pregnancy is discriminatory. The policy came into effect as of January 2022.

“In terms of the policy, schools are required to take all necessary steps to reasonably accommodate the learner to facilitate her continuing education.

“A learner who is pregnant shall be allowed to sit for national examinations if her health condition permits. The school principal and staff in collaboration with parents/guardians shall take all reasonable steps to accommodate the learner’s learning, health and maternal needs during the examination period,” Motshekga said.

The department has seen a gradual increase in the number of full-time enrolments in 2022, compared to previous years. Motshekga said the department had gone to great lengths to ensure that exams happen without any irregularities.

“The DBE has stepped up its security across all points in the question paper chain,” Motshekga said.

“The DBE continues to liaise closely with Eskom, the security cluster, PEDs and other relevant stakeholders.

“The DBE can confidently state that it is fully prepared to administer the November 2022 exams based on the principles of fairness, reliability, validity and integrity.”