LEARNERS in gr. 12 at Mamokgari Secondary School in Ga-Molepo, Lebowakgomo, only received their exam timetables last Monday, on the day exams were supposed to start.
As a result, the department of education is investigating the principal and management of the school. This was confirmed by the department’s spokesperson, Phuti Seloba.
To add to this shocking state of affairs, in spite of the school being a no-fee school, parents were shocked when their gr. 12 learners were forced to pay R100 each in lieu of “fees”. The gr. 12 learners were allegedly told they would not receive their timetables or be allowed to write exams if they did not pay.
Parents and learners who spoke to CV about the matter, did not want to go on record, for fear of victimisation by the school’s management.
Seloba said, should investigations prove wrongdoing by employees, strong action would be taken against them. “Timetables have never been for sale and there’s no price on them. There is no condition for giving learners matric timetables. Whoever is found doing this will be dealt with,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the ANC Youth League in the province, Onica Moloi said these learners, who had endured enormous challenges throughout their high school years, remained an inspiration to scholars who would follow in their footsteps. “In spite of incidents like this one, they remain resilient and did not opt to stop going to school. We congratulate them for their endurance and encourage those who are behind them, academically, to emulate their unwavering spirit and to yearn for education,” Moloi said.
DA Limpopo caucus leader, Desiree van der Walt, said the DA acknowledges the hardships that many learners, educators and school personnel suffered. “Matric exams are daunting enough as it is without additional stress being placed on the learners. We know, though, that hard work and thorough preparation will pay dividends. We wish our 2013 matric class strength under pressure, and rewards that reflect their efforts,” she said.
Seloga said 83 597 learners were sitting for their National Senior Certificate examinations in 1 414 exam centres. “We are expecting 75% to pass this year. In 2009, we obtained a 48,9% pass rate. In 2010 we obtained an overall 57,9% pass rate, while in 2011 we obtained 63,9% and 66,9% last year,” Seloba concluded.
