Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Blackouts add to matrics’ stress as they prepare and write exams
AFTER overcoming two years of interrupted schooling, the class of 2022 has faced load shedding and a strike as challenges in their final exams so far.
Despite this the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has assured their exams will not be disrupted by the planned public sector union protest.
MEC David Maynier urged matrics be treated as VIPs in the remaining weeks of their exams.
“The Class of 2022 has already had to overcome two years of disrupted schooling during their Grade 10 and 11 years. And they are now dealing with the challenge of load shedding, which makes an already stressful time even more stressful.”
Maynier assured the department had contingency measures should any teacher want to participate in the strike demonstrations.
To add to the events that surround the matric examinations this week, a statement from the department said it had received reports of 14 cellphones and crib notes in the exam venue.
“Each reported incident will be thoroughly investigated, and the candidate in question is given the opportunity to make representations to a hearing following the exam session.
“The candidate will also have the opportunity to appeal the finding from the hearing.”
At the beginning of the examinations load shedding interrupted computer related exams.
Maynier acknowledged these disturbances and said some pupils had a later start time than others.
Rondebosch High School principal Shaun Simpson, said it was regrettable the IT exam was marred with load shedding disturbances, and said their generators helped their pupils.
Malibu High School pupil, Liliza Ngwenya said matric was a lot of pressure.
“I study in the evening, and now that electricity goes during the night, and it makes it hard for me to study.”
Asakhe Jack, a matric pupil from Silversands High school said she could not wait for this exams period to be over.
“I won’t lie, this experience has me by the neck. I find myself tearing up out of frustration. I cannot wait for this period of exams to be over.
“I am tired of Eskom cutting off electricity whenever they want to. It’s not making my life easier.”
Iviwe Mbanjwa, from Malibu High also expressed her frustrations amid the series of blackouts. “The only thing that stands in my way is load shedding.”
MEC for education acknowledged the frustrations of matric pupils
"The biggest impact at the moment is on our matrics’ ability to study in the evenings.
“These exams are already stressful enough for them, without having to worry about whether they will be able to put a light on to study.”
Eskom was unable to make a commitment on the ceasing of load shedding, but explained, “the integrated nature of the examination centres on the power grid and therefore isolating all examination centres being impossible”.