uThungulu upbeat about matric exams

DESPITE a rather bumpy start to the 2014 school year, it is all systems go for the matrics in uThungulu to start their National Senior Certificate examinations.

That is according to uThungulu District Director for the KZN Department of Education Davod Chonco.

Speaking to the Bay Watch on the state of readiness for the October/November NSC exams, Chonco said they have done everything in their power to prepare pupils.

‘It is no secret that we did have class disruptions in various schools, but it was not as bad as last year.

‘In school such as Zimeme, Mondini, Amangwe, Qantayi, Kati, Lizwi and Mashananandana we saw elements of vandalism, burglaries and in some cases ill-advised pupils staging marches, demanding the removal of their school principals,’ Chonco said.

He said examinations will commence on 27 October until 28 November. In uThungulu 16 765 full-time and 3 182 part-time candidates are registered to write this year’s papers.

There will be 197 writing venues used and three centres for marking, which are eShowe High School, eShowe FET and Dlangezwa High School.

‘We have beefed up security. SAPS will provide safety and security and monitor examination papers in transit.

‘We have also made provision for weather challenges, We are in summer now and often experience bad weather conditions during this period. We have also engagd the army in case of worst scenarios, but our mission is to ensure that no pupils will be kept waiting for papers to be delivered.

‘We are upbeat about obtaining improved matric results after giving our all, including educators who started early to finish the syllabus on 31 August. This has given our pupils more time to revise their work,’ said Chonco.

‘We want the matrics to know that their teachers and parents have played their part, the ball is now in their courts.