Durban -The National Teachers’ Union (Natu) has called on the Department of Basic Education to provide generators to schools to ensure there are no disruptions caused by load shedding when the Grade 12 final exams get under way at the end of the month.
In a statement, the union said it appreciates the initiative taken by the DBE to negotiate with Eskom for minimal power outages during this year’s National Senior Certificate Examinations, but said more needed to be done.
Natu called on the department to put alternative measures in place, particularly for the exam dates for computer-related subjects.
“We urge the department to supply schools with generators on the dates on which Computer Applications Technology (CAT), Information Technology, etc are scheduled,” it said.
The union said it was making this plea in recognition of the efforts that both teachers and pupils have undertaken in preparation for these examinations.
“If the Department of Basic Education takes the work of our teachers and pupils seriously, they will have to demonstrate that by doing more than mere negotiating with Eskom.
“Truth be told, they (department) do not have control over Eskom power-saving programmes, but still bear an obligation to ensure hassle-free examinations.
“We call on the Department of Basic Education to put their money where their mouth is and protect the integrity of the National Senior Certificate Examination. Supplying generators to a handful of schools that will be writing computer-related subject examinations will assist in the finalisation of the examination programme in the scheduled time,” it said.