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Many households don’t have an internet connection, but almost every household in the country has a TV. In light of this, a project was set up in August 2020 to deliver educational support to the Matric 2020 class through an extensive series of broadcast lessons on TV.
While final year exams are a big hurdle, for the matric class of 2020, the pressure is greater than ever, after learning was disrupted by the unforeseen yet injurious outbreak of the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic in March this year.
However, more pupils will write the matric exams this year than any other year in the country’s. The exams begin on Thursday.
The Woza Matrics 2020 Catch Up national campaign – an initiative made possible through the unique collaboration between the broadcasters – SABC, Multichoice and eMedia Investments – delivers a substantial support programme for matric pupils in 10 subjects.
This was according to a joint statement released by the department of basic education and the National Education Collaboration Trust, on Monday.
“The 14-week Woza Matrics broadcast education campaign started on September 1, this year and will run until December 8. It is broadcast every day, 7 days a week on SABC 3 from 8am to 10 am and from 1pm to 3pm, with repeats on Openview 122 later in the day and on DSTV Catch Up (all packages),” the statement read.
• Mathematics;
• Life sciences;
• Geography;
• Physical sciences;
• Accounting;
• Economics;
• Maths literacy;
• English first additional language;
• History; and
• Business studies.
“We have the largest matric class ever – in the most educationally challenging year in post-apartheid South Africa,” continued the statement.
“Since matric exams are set more than a year in advance, it has not been possible to trim the curriculum or tailor the exams to reflect the massive loss of teaching days brought about by the Covid-19 coronavirus and the subsequent lockdowns. Our matrics will write the set exams but with so much less preparation.”
Following the many disruptions caused by the coronavirus and subsequent national lockdown, enforced by President Cyril Ramaphosa to curb the spread of the virus, contigency plans had to be put in place in an effort to assist pupils as they could not attend classes as per usual, in classrooms, due to the need for social distancing.
While a lucky few have had access to their teachers over the internet, and to online resources, the majority of matric pupils could not access online learning or had limited access.
Read: Matrics in poor schools ‘won’t be ready’ for exams – Sadtu
According to the statement, “only 1 in 10 households have access to connectivity severely limiting access to digital learning for the majority of matric pupils”.
This campaign is led by the department of basic education, assisted by the National Education Collaboration Trust, in collaboration with the SABC, Multichoice and eMedia Investments, as well as with a number of key educational content providers – Mindset, Digicampus, Telematics School Project and Monyetla – and funded by Bidvest, Unicef and Satrix.
Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga said: “This initiative has come at the right time when we are working to get schooling back on track. Matric is always stressful, but 2020 has been filled with most unusual stresses.”
“There are a few weeks left before the end of the year and WOZA Matrics will continue to give pupils the support they need to prepare for the final exams.”
SABC GCEO Madoda Mxakwe, said: “As the SABC, we are pleased to be one of the key role players in saving the 2020 matric year through the WOZA Matrics campaign.”
“Education forms an integral part of our mandate, and it is for this reason that we have availed our platforms to advance the education agenda in our country.”
Yolisa Phahle, MultiChoice group ceo for general entertainment and connected video, echoed Mxakwe’s sentiment and said her organisation was “grateful and privileged to have been invited to contribute to what is a pivotal cause”.
She emphasised that the responsibility of South Africans was to minimise the impact of Covid-19 on the youth, by “empowering them through knowledge and skills.”
Visit LINK HERE PLEASE for the full TV schedule
These shows have Facebook (@wozamatrics) and WhatsApp interaction. Pupils can post comments on Facebook and WhatsApp questions or send voice notes to this number – 061 505 3023 – before, during and after each Exam Guide show. A designated
subject specialist will respond in real time during the shows and as soon as possible before and after a show.
There is also a catch-up facility on YouTube where all the Exam Guide shows already aired can be viewed or downloaded here
Consult the website for these and a range of other support materials
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