Free State Department of Education upbeat ahead of final matric exams

The Free State Department of Education says it is confident that all the preparations it made ahead of the matric final exams will once again earn the department the number one spot in the country’s matric results.

Thirty-six thousand full-time candidates and 7100 part-time candidates will write exams to obtain their national senior certificate in the province.

The Free State is targeting 90% matric pass rate this year, up from last year’s 85.1%.

The moment of truth and a critical time has come, for this year’s matric learners as they’ve reached the end of 12 years of school life. For some, it will be the beginning of the next chapter of academic life at a higher level and to others, an entry into the uncertain job market.

“I have mixed emotions because I heard people saying that the matric examination is not easy but I’m not going to put that into consideration. I’m going to study hard. And when I pass I’m going to university,” says one of the matric learners at Comm-Tech High School in Mangaung, Bloemfontein

“I feel overwhelmed, at the same time excited because I have been trying this technique of exercising and meditation every morning. It has been helping me and I was able to learn to calm down during this final examination of CAT,” says another.

“I love to dance and do all those kinds of things. So, listening to music really cheers me whereby I will be so anxious, so panicking, anxiety kicking in. So music is the key.”

Chairperson of the School Governing Body (SGB) at the school, Mabefola Mosala says preparations started early.

”From June month, September and October, we were having camps for the matriculants. So, I’m positive they are going to make it.”

Meanwhile, Spokesperson for the Department of Education in the Free State, Howard Ndaba says it’s all systems go.

“We’ve got about 353 centres where the learners will be writing. Even the centres have been identified; the markers have been selected. We’ll be having more than 2 400 markers, including chief markers, deputy chief markers. So, we are indeed ready. On Friday, the minister was in the province. All our learners in the province have signed a pledge, where they committed themselves, that they’ll conduct themselves in a manner that is legal. They’ll not do group copying. They’ll not do any illegal activity during the period of the exam.”

Matric exams got under way last week with practical exams for Computer Applications Technology (CAT),  Information Technology, Performing Arts, Visuals Arts and Design.

Theoretical examinations will commence on the 27th of October.

2021 Matric final exams begin on Wednesday: