NYAKALLO TEFU
TODAY marks Day 1 of the National Senior Certificate examinations across the country with over one million matric learners expected to sit for their finals this year.
A record total of 1,058,699 candidates are expected to sit for their examinations from November 5 to December 15.
Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga was in Soweto on Thursday to monitor the start of the Grade 12 final examinations.
Inside Education spoke to three matrics about their anxieties with matric exams.
THATO BAME, West Ridge High School
Today is the first day of finals. How are you feeling?
To be honest I’m very nervous and my anxiety level is at its peak because I have a lot of unanswered questions.
Do you think you are fully prepared for your finals?
No, I’m not fully satisfied but I trust that me being scared will help me become fully prepared, hopefully.
What has been the hardest part in terms of academics this year?
• Having to stay home and understand parts of the syllabus that needed explanation from teachers and also having to do many things in a short space of time. Prelims as well were very very hard. I saw it with my marks because I dropped so I’m hoping during these finals I’ll pick up my socks and work extra hard just to get a bachelors pass next year when I receive my results.
Will you be attending extra lessons as you write or are you done for the year?
So far, I think we’re done for the year because there isn’t a timetable for any extra classes being released which is kind of a relief because I hardly got any help when I went so I wasted some of my time investing in long hours in a classroom and not understanding a teacher when I could’ve been at home and done things at my own pace and understood better.
What’s your goal for your finals? Distinctions?
I’m willing to work for a bachelor’s pass. I have faith and will try my level best. So, I will focus on what I can control and let God handle the rest. Definitely planning to come for at least 3 or 4 distinctions.
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KHUMO PUSO, Florida Park High School
Today is the first day of finals. How are you feeling?
I am feeling a bit anxious but I am really excited to start the journey.
Do you think you are fully prepared for your finals?
Yes, I do feel that I am fully prepared. I had come to the realisation that even though COVID-19 interfered with our academic year, we still had to carry on with the syllabus and write finals within 2020.
What has been the hardest part in terms of academics this year?
The hardest part was having to return to school with my schooling hours being extended by 90 minutes and loads of homework on things that were never thoroughly taught.
Will you be attending extra lessons as you write or are you done for the year?
I will be attending extra lessons for subjects that need to be polished.
What’s your goal for your finals? Distinctions?
My goals are to achieve a minimum of three distinctions for my finals and keep the rest of my marks above 65%.
KEKETSO GWABE, St Barnabas School
Today is the first day of finals. How are you feeling?
I don’t know how to feel about it. I’m stressed and very anxious about how it is going to turn out.
Do you think you are fully prepared for your finals?
I tried studying for paper 1 to be honest I hardly study for paper 1 but this time I did so I will see.
What has been the hardest part in terms of academics this year?
The hardest part has been studying for an exam and not getting the marks I anticipated. I am so anxious about the end, I don’t know how those are going to turn out but I am trying my hardest to work and to basically make myself proud.
Will you be attending extra lessons as you write or are you done for the year?
I will be going to VTS for Maths and Life Sciences but right now it is just me and studying.
What’s your goal for your finals? Distinctions?
A maximum of two distinctions because I want to be realistic with myself by looking at my marks for the past few years.
(SOURCE: INSIDE EDUCATION)
