While Eskom may have ‘addressed the nation’ at 4pm on November 9, the Department of Basic Education director-general Mathanzima Mweli has called for an urgent meeting with Eskom CEO André de Ruyter, reports News24.
The urgent request comes after thousands of students across South Africa are forced to face the country’s rolling blackouts during a critical period in the exam year, especially for matriculants who are currently writing their final National Senior Certificate examinations. This has caused major concern for Parliament’s portfolio committee on basic education.
While students are having to contend with blackouts while writing exams, this inconvenience has also extended to learners’ preparations, as per EWN.
“All indications are that the DBE and its PEDs will be able to deliver quality results and fair examinations,” stated Committee chairperson Bongiwe Mbinqo-Gigaba.
The meeting request is set to take place in a few days, with the department assuring the committee that it would forward feedback regarding the outcome of the meeting in order to provide the learners and country with some level of assurance.
Along with rolling blackouts that learners have to contend with, other issues brought to the table included the rotational attendance in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This has resulted in the matric class of 2021 having lost a ton of learning and teaching time. However, has attempted to be rectified.
“The committee was assured that with additional programmes, such as autumn and spring vacation schools, the sector has tried to make up for lost learning time. Some 20 days were gained through this programme, combined with e-learning and revision,” Mbinqo-Gigaba said.
Matric examinations began on October 27 after being brought forward due to the local elections. It will conclude on December 6 2021.
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UPDATE: Eskom ‘addresses the nation’ – Stage 3 and the blame game
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