Load shedding adds extra exam for some
AS “PENS down parties” are expected to go ahead for thousands of matrics across the country soon, the provincial Education Department has once again asked pupils to take care of themselves.
Agricultural technology and design subjects to be written today were initially expected to be the last sitting of the 2019 National Senior Certificate.
But a load-shedding hiccup last month will see 2 000 pupils rewrite computer applications technology and information technology.
Provincial Education spokesperson Bronagh Hammond said: “This includes pupils who managed to complete the exam, but had to be quarantined until the electricity came back on. These pupils will be given the opportunity to decide if they would like to rewrite the exam, despite finishing the first paper.
‘‘If they take this option they will nullify the first question paper. All candidates that were at the affected centres have been informed.”
Education MEC Debbie Schäfer appealed to pupils to exercise moderation as they celebrated at different venues.
“This week many candidates will be heading to annual ‘matric rage parties’ in towns across the province, particularly in Hermanus and Plettenberg Bay.
“Matric candidates have worked very hard to get to this point in their lives and while they deserve to celebrate, we appeal to them to do so responsibly.”
Schäfer urged pupils to use registered car services and public transport when travelling between venues if they drank alcohol.
The national senior certificate kicked off on October 23 for most of the class of 2019, when a total of 55928 Grade 12s across the province wrote English home language, first additional, and second additional language papers.
Western Cape pupils joined about 74000 candidates across the country.
“I am hoping to maintain an above 80% pass rate. I think that is the most realistic I can be.
‘‘I do know, however, that a lot of hard work has gone into helping our matrics, by many role-players. I hope their work yields fruit,” Schäfer said.