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- Pupils from the matric class of 2022 have started writing their final exams.
- While wishing the pupils the best of luck, the South Africa Democratic Teachers' Union pointed out the challenges that they have faced.
- This included the Covid-19 lockdown, closure of schools and, most recently, persistent load shedding.
As matric pupils across the country write their final exams, the South Africa Democratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu) noted that the class of 2022 has suffered greatly under the Covid-19 pandemic and now constant load shedding.
According to Sadtu, more than 920 000 full and part-time pupils will be writing English paper one on Monday. Pupils have already written the computer applications technology and information technology papers last week.
While wishing the matric class of 2022 the best of their final examinations, Sadtu pointed out the challenges faced by the pupils.
The union said:
Sadtu said that the current matric class were in Grade 10 in 2020 when they experienced the lockdown and school closures due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
READ | Motshekga confident post-Covid matric exams will go smoothly
The schools were closed in March and reopened only in July on a rotational basis, which continued well into 2021.
"This class only experienced full-time classroom attendance in 2022 while doing Grade 12. As we heaved a sigh of relief as Covid-19 subsided and lockdown restrictions lifted allowing learners to go back to school on a full-time basis, we were confronted with load shedding. Not all schools could afford alternative energy sources to ensure effective learning and teaching in the classroom. Learners could not properly prepare for schooling in their homes due to load shedding."
Continued blackouts
The union said it remained concerned about the rolling blackouts which would negatively impact on the pupils throughout the process of writing their exams.
"Any disturbance during revision causes anxiety. Blackouts cause delays in travelling, and students may find themselves arriving at examination centres already emotionally disturbed," Sadtu said.
With the present challenges, Sadtu commended teachers as well as the pupil for being innovative and resilient.
"We thank this class for giving all their time to catch-up programmes which meant sacrificing their mornings, evenings, and holidays.
"Further, we welcome the Department of Basic Education's curriculum recovery programmes to assist this class in the form of study guides, Woza Matric programmes using television, radio, and social media platforms."
The union called for flexibility in time management to accommodate pupils or teachers arriving late due to delays caused by load shedding, and hoped all exam centres had facilities in place to ensure they were not affected by load shedding.
