Preparation for the Matric 2023 examinations is now well underway. The Department of Basic Education (DBE) Spokesperson, Elijah Mhlanga, has announced the various programmes and plans that have been put in place to make sure that this year’s exams go off without a hitch.
The 2023 Matric learners are part of the group of students who suffered learning losses as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. They were in Grade 9 when the pandemic first hit and were the last group of learners to return to school when things went back to normal, meaning they were one of the most affected groups of students.
Various measures have been implemented in an attempt to recover these learning losses.
Learning Programmes For Matrics
One of the biggest challenges students in South Africa face is the lack of learning material available in their home language. Fortunately, the AVBOB Step 12 programme is addressing this challenge by making learning materials accessible in all of the country’s official languages.
The AVBOB Step 12 programme focuses mainly on language subjects in the upcoming exams. To pass Grade 12, learners must achieve at least 40% in both their home language and first additional language subjects, which are compulsory.
Study guides are available in all 11 official languages, with three study guides per language, covering each of the three papers - Language in Context, Literature and Creative Writing.
The AVBOB Step 12 Examination Preparation Guides are based on needs communicated by teachers in consultations and have been reviewed and approved by the Department of Education.
Access To Learning Materials
Another major challenge is the digital divide. Not all students will have easy access to these online study guides, making already disadvantaged students further excluded.
If learners have a smart device, then they will be able to download these guides as a once-off and then access them as they need to. They can make use of public wifi to do so.
However, if learners do not have a smart device or are struggling to access these guides, they are encouraged to reach out for support by contacting the Department on various platforms or reaching out in their communities for assistance.
The DBE has revealed that hard copies of these study guides will be available for students who cannot access them online.
Teaching guides have also been provided for educators to enhance the quality of teaching and improve learner performance.
The Department urges Grade 12s to make use of every piece of learning material available to them to maximise their chances of success during this exam period. Grade 11 learners are also encouraged to use these study guides so that they can get ahead for next year.
The DBE states that learning losses and gaps in learning are still very evident following the pandemic, however, with revised learning plans there is hope that these challenges will be a thing of the past within the next year or two.
Final exams for matrics will kick off on Tuesday, 24 October 2023 and end on Wednesday, 6 December 2023.
