Nine days since the Grade 12 examinations have started; neither a single of the 67,610 Grade 12 candidates nor a school in the Eastern Cape has registered an irregularity or brought to a book for interfering wrongly with the examination programme.
Although this has been a trend in the past five years with the province not being tainted by matric scams that include selling of question papers and memorandums or grade 12 certificates, the Eastern Cape director for assessment and examinations, Mzimhle Mabona believes proper planning and commitment by all parties involved in logistical arrangements will also deliver these exams without any hustles.
“As a department, we are cautiously optimistic and don’t bask in the glory of the previous years, all we do is to focus our energies on the areas that were identified as weaknesses in the previous years. In addition, we seek to improve our systems yearly and we don’t take anything for granted when it comes to logistics as it may compromise the credibility of the examinations,” said Mabona.
Despite the fact that in most cases success of groups is attributed to individual team leaders, Mabona confirms that the strength of the department lies on investing more in multi-disciplinary teams for better results.
“We try and use an inter-departmental approach with these teams during our planning sessions. These teams normally consist of representatives from critical stakeholders like local government, security agencies and emergency services for unforeseen circumstances. So far investing in human capital and astounding commitment from the school management teams (SMT), educators, invigilators, community and other staff members have been the pillars of strength as we rely more on them,” he added.
Mabona condemns schools and their principals who ignore the policy but act as law unto themselves and cautioned them that the law will be applied in addressing that. He adds that during this period school principals are urged not to chase away learners who have not paid their school fees as this is illegal and might ruin the dreams of these youngsters to become professionals one day.
“In terms of the South African Schools Act, Act 84 of 1996 (as amended by Act 31 of 2007), S40 (7) states that: a learner may not be deprived of his/her right to participate in all aspects of the programme of a public school despite the non-payment of school fees by his/her parents and may not be victimised in any manner, including but not limited to the following conduct: (a) suspension from classes and (d) denial of a schools report or transfer certificate.”
Eastern Cape grade 12 examination still running smoothly
Province
