Extra help given if matrics should fail

By Tina George
22 December 2007


Matriculants who fail this year will be given extra support by the Western Cape Education Department when writing their supplementary exam next year.

This year’s matric pupils are the last to follow the old matric curriculum and those who fail will not be able to go back to school to repeat the year or a subject they failed.

The new Further Education and Training matric curriculum will be introduced at all schools next year and the old curriculum will no longer be taught.

However the Education Department has ensured that pupils who failed will have access to the old programme and tutoring lessons in time for the supplementary exam.

“When the results are released normally the department provides schools with psychologists and councillors who will be on stand-by in case our schools need them,” says spokesperson for Education, Gert Witbooi.

“We will definitely be giving learners extra support but learners should not despair because it is not a matter of life and death if they don’t pass,” says Witbooi.

Failed pupils will be provided with various options. College learnership courses will be offered should a pupil not be able to enter a University.

Five years to write under their old curriculum will be provided.