Grade 12s sign exam pledge

In a quest to strengthen security and shun any type of irregularity during their final exams all Grade 12 learners from all schools in the province signed the National Senior Certificate pledge at their school last Friday.
The pledge compels and demands learners to be honest, avoid cheating, copying, accepting assistance from or providing it to another learner during the exams.
Education MEC Ishmael Kgetjepe who spearheaded the signing of pledges at Taxila Secondary School in Polokwane last Friday said with the signing of the pledges they want to compel learners to refrain from any form of irregularity and focus on the job at hand.

“We don’t what learners who cheat, we want learners who study hard because there is nothing in life that comes easy. We are urging all our learners across the province to give it their very all and repay their educators, parents and the province with good quality results and become something in life. We wish them every success in the final examinations. I am appealing to parents to support them in these critical times of their academic lives by creating peaceful environments for them,” Kgetjepe said.
Departmental Spokesperson Naledzani Rasila said the pledge was approved by the Council of Education Ministers in January this year for candidates who will write the National Senior Certificate to comply with the Examination Code of Conduct. “The rationale for the pledge is to assist with the curbing and control of examination irregularities and is an attempt to adopt a more proactive rather than a reactive approach to the reduction of examination,” Rasila explained.
He also informed that all systems are ready for this year grade 12 final examinations which will begin in earnest on 24 October and end on 29 November. “We are more than ready, all the Grade 12 learners will write their final examinations including those in school around Vuwani area,” Rasila said.
Khomotjo Phaka, Grade 12 learner at Taxila Secondary School said she was looking forward to do well in the upcoming examinations. “I have prepared well for the examinations. The teachers have been helpful throughout the year and I can’t wait to write that first paper,” Khomotjo said.

Story and photos: Herbert Rachuene
>>herbert@mailbox.co.za

Featured photo: Left: Khomotjo Phaka, Grade 12 learner at Taxila Secondary School signs her National Senior Certificate Examination Pledge. Right: Teboga Kabe, Grade 12 leaner at Taxila Secondary School signs the pledge.