Parents urged to support matric pupils

THE Department of Education’s deputy director-general of curriculum management and delivery, Dr Barney Mthembu, called on parents to support matric pupils as they begin their final exams this week.

Mthembu was speaking during a provincial matric prayer event held at the KwaMashu Christian Centre yesterday.

He said 2020 and this year had been hard on teachers and pupils because of Covid-19.

“When we came up with strategies on how we would continue teaching and learning, we got interrupted by the unrest and looting in the province.

“However, educators and other stakeholders in the sector made plans so that the pupils could finish the syllabus.

“We have done everything from our side. Now we need God’s strength; that is why we organised this prayer,” he said.

He urged parents to support their children during this difficult time.

He also said that parents needed to address the issues of teenage pregnancy and drug abuse. He said it did not help to say teachers should educate pupils about the issues when parents were not coming forward to assist.

“If parents keep on saying the problem is at the school, we can say we do not sell alcohol and drugs. After these kids have taken drugs they attack and hurt everyone, that is why I am saying this problem affects all of us. So let us work together to fight it,” he said.

The University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Professor Msizi Mkhize, who helps matric pupils with maths and accounting, said pupils should be studying alone now as they have two days left before they start their exams.

“There is no need for study groups now. A pupil needs to study alone now and work on past-year examination papers. This is to prepare themselves, because they won’t be writing as a group,” he said.

He said students can go to their groups just to ask questions.

WTS Tutoring’s Dr Khangelani Sibiya, who helps pupils with maths, said a pupil who did not do well throughout the year should not worry because the exams made up 75% of the final year mark.

“When doing revision learners should revise everything. When they are writing (the exam) they must start with questions they feel are easy. They must not be fearful because that will make them forget everything they have learnt,” he said.

Nhlakanipho Khumalo, a pupil at Sibonelo High school in KwaMashu who attended the prayer event, said it had been a difficult year for pupils and teachers.

He said they were able to finish the syllabus because they had extra lessons.

“We are ready to start our exams. I am nervous though,” he said.

Melusi Ndlovu, a matric pupil at JE Ndlovu High School, said he was praying that he and other pupils would do well and that they would be able to remember what they had been taught.

“Fear will make you forget everything, if we can overcome it then all will be well,” he said.