The matric 2022 exams started in earnest on Monday with Languages Paper 1. The matrics of 2022 had to face Covid-19 and must be commended for their courage in confronting this dreaded disease.
The nine provincial education departments must be thanked for how they made concessions to schools that could not meet the dates schools should be opened during the Covid pandemic.
Matric exams are important because it is an entry into tertiary institutions and, in many cases, an opportunity to get a job. Some people say too much emphasis is placed on the matric exams, and other means should be used to evaluate pupils.
I firmly believe there must be an exit examination for matrics for several reasons:
◆ Internationally, schools have an exit examination.
◆ It allows universities to select students. It allows the education departments to look at subjects in which students are not performing and the reasons for this.
◆ Teachers can evaluate what needs to be done to improve their pupils’ results.
We should all be working at improving the matric results in all our schools. I found that where schools have done well in the matric exams, it lifts the morale of the entire school. When I was in teaching, my challenge to the pupils was: “What stops you from doing your best?”
All schools in South Africa belong to us, and therefore, we must encourage all our schools must give their best. I am sure our pupils, staff and parents will support the matrics of 2022. When our students do badly, it is a reflection of the effort we have put in.
The matric functions (balls) attached to matric are always of major concern. I never prevented students from having matric functions or what most students call matric balls. However, I always made students aware of the precautions they must take.
First, we have what is called after-matric functions. This is where students are left to their own devices and cause sleepless nights for their parents. Parents put themselves into debt because there is competition among pupils about their matric clothes. Time is wasted on fund-raising activities, which take the focus off academic work. I have no problem with valedictory functions at schools.
Where we as teachers agreed to matric functions, we emphasised students behaving themselves and not going to after matric functions. I told my pupils to go home after the matric function at midnight. If you need a party after the matric function, I will arrange another day to have it.
I believe pupils must enjoy their matric year. I hope our matrics, after their exams, will enjoy their freedom, but please be careful. Make South Africa great!
* Brian Isaacs.
** The views expressed here are not necessarily those of Independent Media.
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