Retaining the number one position in both the province and the district is top priority for Free State Department of Education MEC Tate Makgoe and the matriculants of 2022. With an overall pass rate of 87.5% in 2021, the matrics of this year have quite the task ahead of them as the National Senior Certificate examinations officially commences on 31 October 2022.
“They have travelled this journey for so many years, some 12 years others more. However, what is important is that they are at the end of their schooling years and that they should ensure that they do well. It doesn’t matter how you start a race, it is all about how you finish. Don’t worry about previous results, what matters is now.
The province has been used to us coming up as number one and we won’t disappoint. In fact, we would like to improve on our matric passes, we are targeting 90% pass rate this year. We have been hovering close to it for many years and this year, I am 100% sure that we will get it,” said Makgoe.
Bloemfontein Courant spoke to a few matrics from schools across the city to hear how they feel about the upcoming final exams, here is what they had to say:
Mercedes Carson from the St Michael’s School for Girls: “I am nervous, especially because we want to keep up the 100% pass rate but I think preparing well helps to ease the stress. So I have been studying but also ensuring that I do not put too much pressure on myself by taking a few breaks in between. I would like to study journalism after school.”
Tremaine Delport from the St Michael’s School for Girls: “I am definitely feeling nervous and scared, but equally excited to finish so I can start a new chapter of my life. I have been using past papers which I find very helpful, but I also take time to myself, physically and spiritually, so that I can avoid burning out in the long run. I would like to study psychology after school, specifically forensic psychology.”
Sebabatso Tauoa from the St Michael’s School for Girls: “I am very nervous and scared because I have set a very specific goal that I have been working towards that I hope to achieve. I feel like I have been studying more than I ever have before while trying to still take care of myself mentally. I am interested in quite a few things, I hope to start with architecture, then look into interior design.”
Larindi Crafford van die Hoërskool Jim Fouché: “Alhoewel daar onsekerheid in my binneste roer, weet ek dat die kwaliteit onderrig wat ek by die Hoërskool Jim Fouche ontvang het my goed voorberei het vir hierdie taak. Ek is meer opgewonde om hierdie hoofstuk af te sluit en streef daarna om my finale eksamen ‘n akademiese hoogtepunt te maak.” Mieke Swarts van die Hoërskool Jim Fouché: “Ek het ‘n studierooster opgestel en hersien elke dag werk van verskillende vakke en werk vraestelle uit.” Logan van Wyk van die Hoërskool Jim Fouché: “Ek het my doelwitte hoog gestel en daarom is ek redelik gestres. Die eindeksamen bepaal werklik ‘n paar van die faktore rakende my lewe as ‘n universiteitstudent aangesien ek BSc Aktuariële Wetenskappe aan die Universiteit van die Vrystaat wil studeer.”
Feng-Mei Chuang from Eunice High School: “I do feel stressed but it’s a manageable amount of stress which I think is good to push me forward. I am feeling motivated and ready to give finals my all, last stretch. I hope to study medicine, I got accepted overseas at the University of Debrecen in Hungary. I am still waiting for UCT, but I will only find out once the final results are released. Currently, it’s really a battle between remaining in South Africa or not.”
Libhongo Matokazi from Eunice High School: “There’s a lot of change that comes with writing an exam. You have to put your pleasures behind you and maintain complete focus for the next three weeks. I’ve received great support from my family and I have a study plan set out for myself to help me keep track of my study duration. After finishing school, I plan on either studying digital art or property studies, after which I will be pursuing a career in real estate management as well as investments.”
Dyllan Steenkamp van die Hoërskool Bloemfontein: “Ek kan nie sê dat ek op my gemak is vir die eksamen nie. Maar ek weet as jy leer en jou kant bring, sal alles goed verloop.”
Lungani Charlie from Tsoseletso High School: “I am hopeful about the upcoming exam. As grade 12s we have seen the structuring of the question papers and we will try to recover whatever losses we might have incurred during the September exams. I have been using past question papers to prepare for the exams as it sort of give you an idea of what to expect. YouTube has also been very helpful.”
Mbali Motelung from Tsoseletso High School: “I am hopeful for the exams as the trial exams in September helped with preparing for the finals. “I want to go to university to study my desired career which is law.”
Vakele Mahonono from Tsoseletso High School: “I am prepared and I am doing my best to prepare for the final exams. I have just been doing a lot of studying and doing things according to my timetable to prepare for the finals. I am managing my time well and avoiding distractions.”
Chrismie Smith van die Hoër Meisieskool Oranje: “Ek voel terselfdertyd bang, senuweeagtig en optimisties oor die eindeksamen. Ek het vir my ‘n skedule opgestel waarvolgens ek voorberei vir die eksamen. Ek gaan Aktuariële Wetenskappe by Potchefstroom studeer.”
Justine Fortuin & Bonolo Moloi
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