Exam paper woes continues
The five matric pupils from Hoërskool Hugenote who were handed the wrong English exam papers are still waiting to get clarity from the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) about whether they will have to write the correct paper.
The pupils were supposed to write English first additional language but instead wrote the English home language paper.
The matriculants claim they were writing their last English paper and, after two hours of writing, their papers were taken by the invigilator and they were handed new English papers.
Just to have their ‘new’ exam papers taken back after 10 minutes and the previous papers handed back to them.
The pupils claim they had to sign a form which stated that they had to rewrite the exam in February.
Francois Smit, father of Raymond Smit (18), one of the pupils who wrote the wrong exam paper, says he went to the school on January 6 to enquire about the English paper.
He claims he was told by someone at the school that the results should be available on January 8 and that the parents should contact the GDE themselves to try and solve the problem.
“I feel it isn’t our responsibility as parents to run around to sort out this mess as it is part and parcel of a problem between the school and the GDE,” says Smit.
A few days later Smit contacted the school and spoke to the principal, Frans Styger.
Styger informed Smit that he still had no answer as to when the children will receive their results.
“After the English paper saga Styger assured me that I need not worry, as the children will not be disadvantaged.
“However, to date promises made by the GDE spokesman, Phumla Sekhonyane, and Styger have not materialised,” he says.
Raymond is currently sitting at home waiting for his results that will determine his route forward.
“He wants to study mechanical engineering at the University of Johannesburg (UJ), but cannot register as he doesn’t have his English marks,” says Smit.
What makes matters worse is the fact that the deadline for rewriting subjects is on Wednesday.
Raymond is anxious to register at the university, but if they don’t have an answer by Wednesday he will miss the opportunity to study this year.
“I don’t think the people concerned with this mess have any idea what effect it has on our children,” says Smit.
He feels everybody just shrugs their shoulders and passes the buck to the parents.
As per GDE regulations the school is not at liberty to comment.
Oupa Bodibe, GDE’s acting spokesman, says the department has applied for a script replacement principle with the Department of Basic Education and Umalusi.
The Umalusi council sets and monitors standards for general and further education and training in South Africa.
“This is a process to prevent irregularity by the school,” says Bodibe, “the results are pending approval from Umalusi.”
