SURPRISE GOLELA UPDATES

 -BY: Surprise Golela The class of 2020 is expected to sit for their final exams from November 5. The Minister of Basic Education addressed the media this morning on key developments in the basic education sector relating to Covid-19 level 1 regulations. “Today, we launch the official countdown to the examinations. It is now 34 days to the start of the NSC examinations for the matric class of 2020,” said Motshekga. The minister appealed with parents, guardians, and communities to rally behind all the candidates who will be writing their final exams this year. She added and said this is an extraordinary time for them (class of 2020) and all of us, but they need the support more. This year more than 1 million matriculants are expected to write their final exams next month, which is said to be the biggest group in the history of basic education department. “A total of 1 058, 699 candidates will sit for the examinations and we certainly have never had to manage a number that ...

-BY: Surprise Golela   During a media brief this morning the Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga announced that the 2021 academic year will officially start on 25 January. “First, let me confirm that schools will reopen on 25 January 2021,” said Motshekga. She said the school calendar will be gazetted tomorrow Friday, 2 October after that it will be made public. The Minister said they are working hard to plan the 2021 academic year taking into consideration the challenges the sector and the whole country faced this year. “ We are fully aware that the country need the school   calendar for effective planning purpose, we have worked hard to ensure it is done properly taking into account the disruptions that have occurred in 2020,” said Motshekga. The Minister’s briefing provided an update on key developments in the Basic Education sector relating to Covid-19 level 1 restrictions. Motshekga said schools will have to carry over some of this year’s curriculum work into...

By: Surprise Golela   The Department of Basic Education has cancelled this year’s final examinations for grade 10 and 11 pupils and the examination will be replaced with controlled tests. In line with the revised annual teaching plans and the time spent on teaching and learning, the promotion requirements for 2020 academic year have been revised. Grade 10’s will sit for an hour duration paper while Grade 11 will sit for two hours long papers. The pupils will write tests which are set by their schools, this is because the common tests which are always set by the provinces will not be set this year. The circular by the Department of Basic Education states that control tests should be set only on the content that was taught to pupils. “The controlled test must cover portion of the curriculum taught preferably work covered in all terms, wherever possible,” The circular further states that the tests must be administered under controlled conditions. “Fundamental subject...

By: Surprise Golela   The Department of Basic Education has released the final combined matric examination time-table. Early this year the Department postponed the writing of the National Senior Certificate and the Senior Certificate examinations, which were meant to be written by more than 350 000 part-time candidates in May and June this year due to COVID-19. The Combined June and November examinations will officially commence on Thursday,  November 20-20, and end on Tuesday, 15 December 2020. The department says the late commencement of the final Grade 12 examinations will allow schools and learners adequate time to cover the curriculum and also ensure that ample time is allocated for revision of the syllabus. This year over 1,1 Million candidates are expected to sit for the 2020 matric exams. The Education Dept said all registered candidates will receive an admission letter, by end of September 2020. The Life Orientation (LO) common Assessment task will be written on Monda...

Matriculants are writing their final examinations and we all know that this is a very stressful time of the year to them. It is not only Matriculants who are faced with this situation but also many other students all over the country who are in universities and colleges. The pressure to pass can be overwhelming as extra attention it is really placed on them, be it from government, family, community  and even peers.  This is that time of the year where we are all tested on what we have been doing throughout the year. This season can bring on levels of stress and burnout that can hinder your studies. We are all stressed by these exams in different ways. It is important to manage this stress and find little ways to help you eliminate the risk of burnout. 2019 hasn't been an easy year for all of us, from learners in lower grades like grade 1 where one of them were raped, young children not making it back from schools, learners in upper grades fighting and stabbing each othe...

The 2019 Matriculants of South  Africa are very optimis tic  about their final exams, which are to start on Wednesday 23 October 2019. English first Additional language is the first main Exam to be written by the class of 2019. They are approximately about 790 405 pupils who will be writing the 2019 national senior certificate(NSC). The government has always been behind the pupils from day one offering the support they needed. The Matric candidates were encouraged to take advantage of the opportunities that were available to them from the begin of the 2019 academic year so that they can develop themselves to be better citizens. The government had removed many barriers to education by introducing "no fee" schools and offering bursaries and study loans to students who want to study at institutions of higher learning. It was never an easy year, we had so many challenges this year at schools throughout the provinces of South Africa  more especially Gauten...