By: Zethu Gweva
The National Department of Basic Education released a statement yesterday stating that matrics at public schools will write combined exams from 05 November to 15 December 2020.
According to the statement, the late commencement of the exams will give matriculants enough time to cover the curriculum.
“It will also allow time for revision, as due to the National Lockdown candidates could not write the May and June exams due to the national lockdown.”
In-addition over a million candidates will sit for the 2020 combined matric exam.
The matrics remain under a lot of pressure as these exams are totally different from what they expected.
A matriculant Siyabonga Vena said these exams will be challenging as he believes that not all matriculants will cover the curriculum.
“Some teachers do not attend class and we spend the whole day doing nothing,” said Vena.
Another Grade 12 pupil Anela Sogoni expressed the combined double has doubled the pressure but she will soldier on.
“There is nothing we can do except study. The Department has answered our questions and we need to adhere to them and study as hard as possible. No one knew about the pandemic so all we have to do is do our best as the class of 2020,” Sogoni.
The Minister reassures all Grade 12 learners that they will be fully supported in their preparations leading to the writing of the 2020 Grade 12 examinations, despite the challenges that this year has presented.
Candidates registered for the October/November National Senior Certificate will receive an admission letter, listing their subjects and exam centre by the end of September.
The results will be released on 23 February 2021.