News clipping – The Mercury – 5 October 2010

KZN pupils urged to put in extra time

Schools in KwaZulu-Natal reopened for the final term yesterday, with matric pupils being urged to prepare well for the final exams, which start in 19 days.

The provincial Education Department and Congress of South African Students (Cosas) said that painstaking revision would characterize this term, with pupils expected to continue studying through weekends and late on weekdays. This was to make up for the three weeks lost in the school calendar to the strike by public servants in August.

KZN pupils were particularly concerned that a recovery plan was not in place to help them make up for the lost time.

The Basic Education Department said it did not have funds to pay teachers for working extra hours.
“We know that sitting around waiting for the department to help us won’t help, which is why, together with the SA Democratic Teachers Union and the provincial-based National Association of School Governing Bodies, we have formulated a plan to help prepare pupils for the finals,” said Cosas KZN spokesman Vusi Bhengu. The plan entailed study centers where pupils would be tutored. Past exam papers had also been prepared.

Provincial Education Department spokeswoman Mbali Thusi said the department would increase its efforts to assist pupils. This would include the distribution of learning materials.

By Sinegugu Ndlovu