The Basic Education Department expressed their relief that the first day of the Grade 12 final examinations took place without any delays or interruptions.
Before the examination, the Department of Basic Education was concerned about the impact of COVID-19 and loadshedding on examinations.
Over 609 000 candidates wrote their first final exam paper.
Elijah Mhlanga spoke on behalf of the DBE and stated that the department was satisfied that the first exam went well as learners sat to write English paper one.
Mhlanga encourages South Africans to rally behind the Grade 12 learners and assist the DBE by ensuring that no protests are organized during the exam period, which may disrupt the exams.
Thankfully loadshedding has not had an impact on the Education sector with regard to the actual writing of the examinations as natural light is sufficient for exams.
The department expects that the examination period will continue running smoothly.
Grade 12 learners took part in a number of camps as part of their revision for the exams.
Mathanzima Mweli, the Basic education Director-General, visited these camps in various provinces and feels confident that they have equipped learners with the knowledge they need to do exceptionally well in their examinations.
Mweli compares the Matric Class of 2021 to a phoenix that rises from the ashes.
“To rise like a phoenix from the ashes means to emerge from a catastrophe stronger, smarter and more powerful,” stated Mweli.
On 27 October, Minister Angle Motshekga and a few other officials spoke with the matriculants and encouraged them to persevere and do their best.
Kwazi Mshengu, Education MEC of KwaZulu-Natal, stated that 178 000 full-time and 22 000 part-time learners will be writing their final Grade 12 exams in the province.
Mshengu is confident that the learners will perform well and achieve good results.
The province will continue to help their matriculants with revisions on the days when they are not writing exams.
Therefore, learners are encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity and to go to school on the days when they do not write exams to receive the help they need from their teachers.
KZN Education MEC urges parents not to put too much pressure on their children but to support them as they write their exams.
