The Gauteng Department of Education MEC Barbara Creecy has made a heartfelt plea to matriculants to take advantage of the upcoming supplementary examinations.
On Friday, Creecy visited the family of Nomsa Mokone, a Soweto matric pupil who allegedly committed suicide upon discovering she had failed matric.
“We have tried to convey the message that if you did fail yesterday, it is not the end of the world. A lot of our learners, including Nomsa, do qualify to write supplementary exams starting in February. We urge learners to take advantage of this opportunity,” said Creecy.
She further appealed to families and communities to help those who failed and re-assure them “it is possible to pass”.
“Please talk to them. Please tell them you love them and that is not the end of the world,” said Creecy.
The Department of Education pledged its support to the family and was exploring ways to help them prepare for burial. Counselling services were being organised for the family.
Creecy, who was joined by the Principal of Thabo Secondary School, Segale Modise, said the department was looking at putting in place a support system in place to “enable matriculants to go through supplementary exams”.
Issued by: Department of Education, Gauteng Provincial Government
11 January 2010
Source: Gauteng Provincial Government (http://www.gautengonline.go.za/)
