Addressing 435 matriculants of the Lefikeng Secondary School in Botshabelo, Mohale applauded the school together with the department for the work they have done in preparing for this last run. He says so far it seems the examinations will run smoothly as there have not been any challenges reported in other schools within the province. He is also confident that the province will retain its first position in the country. “To the class of 2022, do not be anxious – remain calm and do your best, as you have worked hard throughout the year. We will always support you,” states Mohale.

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The principal of the school, Ramosebetsi Mokhotsi, explained that with the number of learners they have as matriculants this year, they have the potential to make the province proud and in addition, ensure the first position is retained in the country. “People were worried that we have more than 400 learners doing their matric this year, they thought we will not be able to handle them but rest assured, we have prepared them for their last run,” he adds. Mokhosi states that they have over 1700 learners in the school and he promises that no learner nor grade/class in the school was given less attention while preparing the Class of 2022 to excel. 

“The school teachers, the matriculants, together with myself - we haven’t rested. We are tired but we will rest after the work is done – as it will all be worth it.” He also expressed his gratitude to the department for the assistance they have been offered.  

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Tate Makgoe, in his capacity as the MEC of Education, earlier visited one of the 18 marking centres in the province. His reasons for visiting the marking centre, Albert Moroka Secondary School, was because part of it was destroyed by a hailstorm during the marking of the Class of 2021’s scripts. Albert Moroka, which is also part of 337 examination centres in the province, was renovated earlier in 2022, and the hall that was destroyed was already able to be used by the Class of 2022 for their March examinations. Makgoe explained that there has been fear of electricity cuts in the area, but he wants to assure everyone that all marking centres in the Free State have an alternative supply of electricity. “We even have an alternative supply of water. So, during the examination and marking period, the two (water and electricity) will not be a problem.” Makgoe stated they want to ensure that the Class of 2022 is given enough support to produce the best results.

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SABC News previously reported that the Basic Education Department said a large number of schools have already procured generators in the light of Eskom’s ongoing rolling blackouts. Earlier it said the power utility told its officials that it was not possible to exempt examination centres from rolling blackouts because they were not situated in one central place. The department’s spokesperson, Eliljah Mhlanga, says they are confident that the end-of-year exams will still be written. ”It might not be all of them but a huge majority of them do have generators. This matter was discussed even before the exams started. So, we hope that those types of arrangements have been made. We will see what to do. But in the timetable, we have the first two days of the exams on which technical subjects are being written and again on the last two days. If something were to really happen and they cannot write, we would look at another opportunity, and with that opportunity, we hope that we should have some stability.”

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