Several high schools have banned parents from dropping off gift baskets for matric learners during school hours, citing disruptions to teaching and unfairness to other learners. 

A matric gift basket, also called an exam survival kit, has become a trend among some parents and is given to their children during final examinations. 

The gift is usually in a basket or box, decorated with a balloon carrying a ‘good luck’ message and a ribbon.

Support and motivation 

The basket or box is filled with the recipient’s favourite treats, energy drinks and stationery for their studies, showing support and helping keep them motivated through exam stress. 

But while schools acknowledge the gesture, many have taken to Facebook to ask parents to give these gifts to their children at home rather than deliver them to school. 

Ndukwenhle High School in Umlazi near Durban said it no longer allows learners to receive these gifts at school because not all parents can afford them. 

Disrupted teaching and learning 

Another school, Sidelile High School in Umkomaas on the KZN South Coast, has also prohibited gift deliveries at school. 

It said the trend exposes vulnerable learners to unwanted attention, pressure and discomfort, and appealed to the community to work together to keep the school safe and conducive to learning. 

Unaffordability 

Ubulinga Secondary School in Bergville, KZN, also banned the practice, saying management decided to stop the gifting because some parents and learners could not afford hampers, which created discomfort and put unnecessary pressure on families. 

Lerato-Uthando Comprehensive Secondary School in the Free State said that while it appreciated the love and support parents showed their children, these gestures could unintentionally make other learners uncomfortable if their families could not afford similar items. 

“As a school, we value fairness, inclusivity and the emotional well-being of every learner,” the school added.  

“You have entrusted us with the responsibility of ensuring that all children feel safe, valued and equally treated within our school environment,” it said.  

Trends 

The exam survival kit trend has also created a small market for businesses offering customised gift baskets.

Sithandiwe Shazi, the owner of Kate’s Gift Baskets in Port Shepstone, said she opened her business in 2020 and noticed the trend growing through social media. 
 
Shazi said her exam gift baskets cost between R500 and R800, depending on the size and contents.  

“I had 19 orders for the final exams this year and 25 last year. I believe parents are drawn to the trend because they want to hype their kids, show them that they care and encourage them to know that they are with them in the final exams.” 

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