CAPE TOWN - “It is scary with the candles because you don’t know when you are going to fall asleep.”
So said JG Meiring High School matric pupil Bronwyn May as Grade 12 learners are finding different ways of studying during load shedding.
About 897 786 candidates enrolled to write their National Senior Certificate exams from October 27.
May, from Ruyterwacht, said that her area experienced load shedding three times a day.
She prefers studying at night but has to make use of a candle or a torch to get through the study session.
“It is scary with the candles because you don’t know when you are going to fall asleep,” said May.
With the mental exhaustion of studying through the night, energy drinks and study substances are some of the things that get her through the day.
When her exam paper is scheduled for the afternoon session, May said this grants her enough time to study as she prefers studying from school with a friend.
Another pupil, Nathan Bezuidenhout from Valhalla High School, said that load shedding did not only affect him at home but also had an effect on his learning at school.
“In some classes we used projectors. Without electricity the teacher would not be able to continue using the projector but would continue teaching without notes as all the notes were on the power point. We focused better when there were visuals as it made us understand the topic more.”
The 19-year-old from Elsies River said his region experienced load shedding two or three times a day. However, he keeps himself educated on the electricity timetable.
“I choose studying at night as everyone is asleep that time and the house is quiet, making it easier to focus on my books. I sleep less and study more,” he said.
Western Cape Education MEC Debbie Schafer said: “As if our matrics have not had enough to deal with over the last two years, they now also have to deal with persistent, debilitating load shedding.
“While it should not affect the actual writing of the exams, as the venues are required to have sufficient natural light, it undoubtedly impacts on their study time. All I can say to our matrics is this - please stay focused, don’t let this stress you out. Plan as best you can and nail these exams because Eskom needs you.”