All systems go for 2022 NSC exams, says WCED

The Western Cape Education Department says its all systems go for the final 2022 National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams. The Class of 2022 has 40 days left before they sit down for the finals.

At least 23 000 learners are expected to attend Spring School over the coming school holiday, adding to the very successful Winter School held earlier this year.

‘’Districts have also been hard at work during the 3rd term offering after-school and weekend revision classes in key subjects, providing exam support packs to candidates, holding online tutoring sessions, hosting residential camps, and motivating learners,’’ said Western Cape’s Education MEC, David Maynier.

Maynier said every matriculant in the province has received a matric revision pack this term. The pack contains past papers and memos in high-enrolment subjects, study tips, post-matric advice, and the pass requirements for the NSC. The revision pack also provides candidates and their parents with all the details on when and how the results will be released, the dates for re-mark and re-check applications, and how to apply for supplementary exams after receiving their results if they would like to improve their marks.

‘’Our ePortal contains nearly 9 000 matric-specific support resources that learners can access whenever they like. This includes revision guides, Telematics videos, marking guides, study tips, and a variety of others. A record number of 185 000 unique users accessed the ePortal during the winter holidays – we hope that our learners will make just as much use of it during the revision period!,’’ said Maynier.

 The Grade 12 resources are available here: https://wcedeportal.co.za/resources-to-support-grade-12-learning-and-teaching

 The MEC said psycho-social support for matriculants are being prioritised in the run up to the exams

‘’It is a stressful time for our matrics, and they need all the support they can get. Social workers have been on hand during residential camps, to support learners in need and to conduct motivational sessions with matrics. Workshops are being run in schools focusing on self-care, exam anxiety, study skills, motivation, time management, relaxation and stress management skills, and a host of other topics’’.

‘’Printed and online psycho-social support materials are available to learners, and individual counselling and support is being made available to learners who need it. We urge any learner struggling to cope with the pressure to approach their teacher for help, or to contact the Safe Schools hotline on 0800 45 46 47 (toll free).’’

Maynier shared his frustration with rolling power cuts. The MEC said contingency measures are being put in place to ensure that every aspect of the examination process can continue, from the printing of papers to the marking of scripts.

‘’Once again, we approach the exam period having to contend with load shedding. This is extremely disappointing, and is understandably causing concern for our learners. We will do everything we can to prevent load shedding from compromising the integrity of the matric exams in the Western Cape.’’

‘’We call on Eskom and our local government partners to assist us in making sure that load shedding will not prevent our learners from achieving their best possible results in these exams.’’

The MEC wished the Class of 2022 well for the upcoming exams.

‘’…we know that they have the ability to achieve excellent results this year. We thank our matric teachers, who are giving their all to ensure that their learners do well in these exams. They are the last caretakers of our children before they leave school, and carry the burden of our learners’ futures with grace and determination,’’ said Western Cape’s Education MEC, David Maynier.

 

PICTURE: WCED

Done by: Mitchum George