JOHANNESBURG – As matric final exams wrap up, some schools have tried to take the pressure off students who face unique challenges, including those who come from child families.
In the Eastern Cape, teachers at Ekuphumleni Senior Secondary School are providing additional academic support to affected students to ensure their focus is not compromised at this crucial time.
Despite infrastructural and other challenges, the rural school achieved a 70% pass rate by 2023 and hopes to improve its performance by ensuring that no student is left behind.
Ekuphumleni Senior Secondary School in rural Middleburg is renowned for its high-performing school choir which has won numerous awards in the district.
The school’s main focus during this examination period is to ensure that all its students have a fair opportunity to excel and improve the overall performance of the school this year.
Teachers at the school say it is not only a place for learning, but also a hub for personal and social development, reflecting the name ‘providing comfort’ to the students.
Despite numerous challenges, the school management has reiterated its commitment to helping students, especially graduating students, thrive.
Andile Williams, a business teacher, said the school has provided students with additional tutoring programs.
He added that he would like the school to have a hostel where students from families with children could stay.
“We also have students who live alone in RDP houses. The fact that we do not have a hostel makes it difficult to control those students. We do not have complete control over them.”
He is confident the school has prepared the students well and believes they will succeed.
“Hard work kills no one. It is the one who hunts who will kill or who will catch. Sacrifice, focus, be prepared and victory is certain. Go out there and make a positive impact.”
Matric exams officially started across the country today and will end on November 28.
EWN
www.ewn.co.za