The Department of Basic Education (DBE) says it is scrapping the grade 12 June examination, to give pupils time to cover the curriculum properly. Thousands of Grade 12 students lost 60% of their teaching time as they only returned to school in July 2020, Business Tech reports.
Minister Angie Motshekga, indicated to the portfolio committee on basic education on Tuesday, June 2, that the COVID-19 pandemic had a serious impact on teaching and learning. “The June period of exams will be used to cover the curriculum. We also have a team monitoring Covid-19 infections daily,” Motshekga said.
Motshekga said her department wants the class of 2021 to make up for the loss of time as they did not go on holiday in March as most of the schools offered extra classes. According to Times Live, Motshekga’s department also addressed the issue of the readiness of primary schools to welcome all pupils back from the start of July.
Learners in grades R to 7 must return to the daily attendance and stick to the original timetabling model from July 26. Meanwhile, schools for learners with special education needs must also return to the daily attendance from July onwards. In the current 2021 school calendar, the second term ends on July 9 and schools will reopen for the third term on July 26.
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Picture: Cape Town Etc gallery