Durban - As the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education is today set to announce its state of readiness for the 2022 matric examinations, some roleplayers within the education sector have already expressed their doubts over the prospects of trouble-free examinations.
KZN Education MEC Mbali Fraser is expected to address a media briefing this afternoon (Tuesday), and there are already questions as to whether she will address the problem of load shedding which looms large over this year’s examinations.
The National Association of School Governing Bodies (NASGB) in KZN said they were concerned about the department’s ability to deliver smooth examinations, citing the power supply as the main challenge that is likely to bedevil the process.
NASGB KwaZulu-Natal Secretary Bongumusa Mnguni said they were worried about the impact of power outages both in the preparations for, and execution of examinations.
“Pupils need to study after hours and that sometimes means doing so during evenings, when considering the different stages of load shedding that we have experienced over the recent times it shows that there is a challenge for them,” said the KZN NASGB secretary.
The body’s main concern was the Computer Application Technology (CAT) and Information Technology (IT) subjects which require power supply to be written.
He acknowledged that the power supply problem was beyond the mandate of the department, adding that they were hoping for other departments involved to play their role.
There are fears that KZN, which has a sizable number of schools in rural areas, may feel the impact of load shedding the most when compared to other provinces.
“We have not been in touch with the Department of Minerals and Energy, but are hoping that the relevant minister will tackle the matter with the sense of urgency that it deserves,” Mnguni said.
The Congress of South African Students (Cosas) said the matter needed a joint effort from different ministers.
“Our call is for power utility Eskom to ensure that there is no disruption of the examinations because of load shedding and we need Minister Pravin Gordhan to intervene on the matter,” Cosas president Thabang Mokoena said yesterday.
He added that over the past few weeks the students’ body leadership had been criss-crossing the country to determine the state of readiness in schools ahead of the examinations, adding that they were worried.
“I am adamant to say that this year’s matric pass rate will not be higher compared to the previous, mainly because of load shedding," he continued.
“This matric class has had it tough over the past few years and that is why everything should be done to ensure that they do not endure further hardship,” Mokoena said.
National department spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga was not available for comment.