Dear Mrs. Angie Motsheka
I am writing to you as a Grade 12 learner who is in her final year of her schooling
career. I have travelled the long and, at many times, uneven road to arrive at where
I am today - that being in my final and much anticipated matric year. However, I
have not been a mere passenger in the bus that has accommodated thousands of
others just like me - quite the contrary. I have been in the minority group of
students who has been driving that very bus to reach our much-desired various
stops. By this, I mean that I have performed exceptionally throughout my
schooling career and, given my upbringing and background, surpassed all odds
and obstacles to achieve the academic success that I have. I have sweat, bled and
cried to achieve the results that I have in order to gain acceptance into tertiary
institutions. I have sacrificed all other aspects of my life in pursuit of a road that
could take my family and I out of the conditions in which we live - that being a
solid educational foundation to equip me to study at university. However, this year
has been derailed by the COVID-19 pandemic that has gripped the world and as a
result, cast a shadow of doubt over this vital year of my future. Whilst I would give
anything to complete my studies in 2020, I am also acutely aware of the manner in
which I need to complete it. It is for that reason that I appeal to you to reconsider
your current stance on “saving” the current academic year, based on the following
points that I have outlined.
Firstly, I would like to reiterate the fundamental aspect regarding the human cost
of reopening schools and the impact of the commonly referred to “R rate” of the
coronavirus. Whilst you, as a member of cabinet, are no doubt privy to the proper
scientific data modeled by the National Coroavirus Command Council and other
leading scientists, it remains obvious that the reopening of South African schools
would have a tremendously adverse effect on the attempts to flatten the curve of
infections in the country. I, as a student attending an underfunded school in
KwaZulu-Natal, know all too well that social distancing measures and other health
and safety measures put in place will be far from practical or effective. Regardless
of whether or not other grades are allowed to return to school or not, the
MINISTER FOR BASIC EDUCATION
ANGIE MOTSHEKGA
schooling environment would simply be too disruptive and unfavourable for
proper and effective learning. This brings me to my most important point that
needs to be taken into consideration: that being the quality and integrity of the
learning and assessments that will take place within the education system should
schools return this year.
As I have already outlined, I have sacrificed everything to be where I am today. I
have been provisionally accepted to the University of the Witwatersrand, the
University of Stellenbosch, the University of Johannesburg, amongst various
others. Whilst I am yet to write my National Benchmark Test (NBT) in July, I am
confident that I will be accepted to study Medicine at the University of Cape Town.
Thus, I would not wish to put all of my efforts and years of hard work in jeopardy of
being tarnished due to my final National Senior Certificate not meeting the
minimum requirements to be accepted at these institutions. This is the core reason
why I am appealing to you, as the head of education in this country, to reconsider
‘postponing’ the current 2020 academic year.
I use the word “postpone” very cautiously. I do not believe that this year could ever
be “scrapped” or “cancelled” as it has been brandished so often in the media
recently. What I am proposing is merely repeating the current academic year for all
grades in 2021, regardless as to whether or not we, as a country, are still grappling
with the pandemic. This will give the Basic a Education Department time to
properly prepare for 2021 based on rational decisions that are unhurried and
properly thought through. This would further provide all students across the
spectrum time to reflect and mentally prepare themselves for a new way of life and
learning in the classroom. What is more, during the next six months, all grades,
and particularly those in the FET phase, could use the time to develop a solid
foundation of the entire syllabus, not just what they have learnt in the first term. All
learners have access to textbooks that they have brought home for the lockdown
period which would enable them to do this. Further resources could be available if
necessary to those who do not have sufficient resources available to continue their
studies. Speaking as an exemplary grade 12 student, I believe that such a plan
would be most effective in bridging the gap caused by the confusion of the
pandemic in the country.
Should such a proposal materialize and all students return to school next year, that
time could be used to ensure that all concepts are throughly revised and
understood by pupils. The reality of what occurs in the classroom will be far from
what is proposed at a national level on paper - trying to reclaim two months is
impractical and brash.
I understand that what I am proposing may appear drastic and perhaps, in your
view, irrational. It may seem unconventional and you may feel out of your depth
taking such a decision. But, I plead with you to look at the bigger picture from my
perspective. By simply rushing through the year for mere administrative purposes
or just to be able to claim that you have managed to “save” or “salvage” the
academic year, and particularly the Grade 12’s, you would be doing all schoolchildren and the country a great disservice. Simply “adjusting” the matric results to
plaster over the cracks of a rushed school year would be a betrayal and an
abandonment by the government as a whole - I urge you not to follow such a path.
After all, the purpose of effective governance is to take those difficult decisions
that are truly in the best interests of the people they are there to serve.
I trust that you will take into deep consideration the concerns and proposals that I
have put forward. I look forward to your response and await your briefing this
Thursday.