Johannesburg – The National Teachers’ Union (Natu) said it appreciated the initiative taken by the Department of Basic Education to negotiate with the National Energy Regulator for minimal power outages during this year’s National Senior Certificate Examinations.
The union said load shedding had in the past disrupted matric exams.
“This Eskom-controlled power load shedding has the potential of a devastating effect into examination preparation processes (revision) that teachers and learners engage intensively into during this time of the year.
“Evidently, during last year’s examinations, computer-related assessments were disrupted in some areas due to these power outages,” Natu said in a statement.
The union said a matric certificate remains the passport to a brighter future and any disruption in preparation for and writing of these exams was regrettable and thus impermissible.
Natu has called on the department to put alternative measures in place, particularly during dates of examination of computer-related subjects, and to supply schools with generators on the dates in which computer applications technology (CAT), information technology and so on are scheduled.
“If the Department of Basic Education takes the work of our teachers and learners seriously, they will have to demonstrate that by doing more than mere negotiating with Eskom.
“Truth be told, the department doesn’t have control over Eskom power-saving programmes but still bear an obligation to ensure hassle-free examinations,” said Natu president Sibusiso Malinga.
He that the union was calling on the department to put their money where their mouth is and protect the integrity of the national senior certificate exam.
“Supplying generators to a handful of schools that will be writing computer-related subject examinations will assist in the finalisation of the examination program in scheduled time.
“It would be prudent that the same facility also be supplied to marking centres. Teachers and learners have endured so much working towards these examinations. Natui will soon be engaging the Department of Basic Education to present this proposal” said Malinga.
The Star