Schreuder, Deputy DirectorâGeneral: Curriculum Management, Western Cape
Education Department (WCED)
25 November 2007
Floods did not deter candidates, assisted by parents, volunteers and
officials of the Western Cape Education Department (WCED), from completing the
final matric examination in the southern Cape on Friday, 23 November 2007.
WCED officials worked hard to account for every candidate who had to write
the examination.
In the end, only one candidate could not make it because of the floods,
which cut off her family's farm between Reenendal and Karatara, near Knysna.
She was a learner at Knysna Secondary School.
The WCED arranged with the police to provide a helicopter to airlift her to
the examination centre in Knysna. However, we were advised that a helicopter
could not land because of dense bush.
The WCED contacted Ms Jacobs on Friday to discuss alternatives. These
include writing supplementary examinations in May and June 2008, or applying
for a calculated mark based on her English Paper 1 result and her year
mark.
Ms Jacobs seemed happy with a calculated mark. She said she needed to submit
her results to a Bible college in Bloemfontein where she plans to study next
year.
We will only consider applying for a calculated mark to Umalusi because a
natural disaster made it impossible for Ms Jacobs to reach her examination
centre on time. Umalusi is the official body responsible for certifying
examination results.
The WCED established an alternative venue in Knysna on Thursday when it
seemed likely that candidates might not be able to reach Wittedrif because of
the floods.
The prediction proved correct. Parents, farmers, the police and the National
Sea Rescue Institute assembled a convoy of 4x4s to bring the sealed packages of
papers to Knysna, via circuitous routes.
Floodwaters closed the N2, which made it difficult for candidates living in
Sedgefield, especially on Sedgefield Island, to reach Knysna. Once again,
volunteers in 4x4s managed to bring candidates to the venue.
The WCED initially could not account for one candidate from Sedgefield
Island, but eventually learned that parents had managed to bring the candidate
to the venue in Knysna.
The WCED is grateful to the learners, their parents and all volunteers who
showed such determination to write this examination. The examination has been a
success despite the floods. Thanks to all concerned.
Inquiries:
Paddy Attwell
Director of Communication
Western Cape Education Department
Tel: 021 467 2531
Fax: 021 461 3694
Cell: 083 261 7699
Email: pattwell@pgwc.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Education, Western Cape Provincial Government
25 November 2007
