South Africa: MEC Majuba addressed learners who attended Spring Classes at Hlakakahle Secondary School in Libangeni at the Dr JS Moroka Local Municipality yesterday morning.
In the address, MEC Majuba urged the learners to appreciate that they no longer enjoy any luxury of time since there are only 28 days remaining before the commencement of the final examination.
“We bring with us warm and fraternal greetings as we extend our profound appreciation to you for attending these Spring Classes”, said MEC Majuba.
“We are here today to welcome and thank you for attending the Spring Classes as well as to pledge our full support throughout this wonderful journey as you make final preparations towards your final examinations. We thank you because you are displaying an understanding of the significance of attending these classes, and we are encouraging you to continue to take full advantage of this opportunity.”
“We appreciate your commitment and dedication to your studies and assure you that what you are doing will yield positive outcomes at the end of the year and beyond.”
“We commend you for setting aside all other issues in order to focus and attend these Spring Classes.”
These classes allow students to get extra assistance from some of the best teachers in the Province. Teachers of the Province are here to help students succeed.
They are passionate about their subjects and want to see students succeed. Please respect and listen to them.
Furthermore, MEC Majuba said, “Your teachers are learned, experienced and successful; hence, we advise you to please take their advice to heart.”
We are aware that the remaining 28 days will be challenging to you and your teachers as they try to consolidate the work to be done and ensure that you are fully prepared for the final examinations, added Majuba.
At this time and stage, you have reached what is called a crunch time, where you need to be more discipline and be able to make sound decisions about your future prospects.
He also suggested that students need to be more focused this time around and avoid any distractions coming their way.
This means avoiding drugs, alcohol, sex, and any other activity that can distract your mind and attention from your studies. This is the time when you must choose the right supportive friends and manage your time wisely more than before.
Equally, you must always respect your parents and heed their guidance and advice. When they say pray, do so without any hesitation. In all this, you must still find time to exercise and do a few house shores while eating properly.
You must attend classes and engage with your teachers until you write the last paper.
The more you participate in class and ask the right questions, the better you will be prepared for the final examinations.
Remember that you had to struggle in the past 11 school years to be where you are today. You managed to pass your grades in the past and that in itself must encourage and motivate you to look forward to this final examination.
2023 is your year to prove to yourselves that you are made of a sterner staff and that you are the best that you could be.
Use the tablets at your disposal to maximize your preparations and your studies.
“We also remind you to use your half-yearly examination results to apply for NSFAS and admissions to institutions of higher learning. The application deadlines are approaching quickly, so please don’t delay.
It will not wise for you to pass with flying colours only to find that no university has admitted you.”
Get more information from your teachers in this regard.
You are almost there; do not lose sight of the road you have travelled and the road ahead because you are at the tail end of the finishing line.
He also suggested a few basic things that must be followed in order to be better prepared for your examination, namely:
● Set aside time every day to practice mindfulness techniques, which will help you to calm down
● Eat, sleep and exercise well
● Set realistic goals to help you put everything in proper perspective
● Do not go alone; form study groups and engage more with your teachers
● Belief in yourself by avoiding negative thoughts
● If you feel like you are struggling, talk to someone – A problem shared is half solved – Asking for help is never shameful.
You must emulate your brothers and sisters who were in your schools in the previous years.
“I think you are aware that this school, Hlalakahle Secondary School, was the first school in the Province to produce the first black overall best learner,” said Thabiso Moabi.
Thabiso managed to outshine all the grade 12 learners in the Province in 2011, and if he did it then, you could equally do it this time around.
The 2022 National Senior Certificate Examination Results of Hlalakahle Secondary School were not impressive. The school obtained a 50.2% pass rate.
- Babutheni Secondary School obtained a 69.2% pass rate last year.
- Malebo Secondary School obtained a 69.8% pass rate last year.
- Bingweni Secondary School obtained an impressive 82.7% pass rate last year.
- Kwamanala Secondary School obtained an outstanding 85.7% pass rate last year.
- Mbulawa Secondary School obtained an outstanding 92.6% pass rate last year.
- Digwale Secondary School obtained an outstanding 94.5% pass rate last year.
In the Province we define underperformance as below 70% pass rate and those schools that obtained above 70% did well.